I'd have thought this was a joke if it was published a couple months ago, but I'm pretty sure March 2009 was before the iSlate rumors ever started. Good call, pg.
HN discussion: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1089512
I wonder if he wears a digital watch, owns a TV, drives a car, uses a printer etc etc. All of which have closed source software within.
If you look at the isolated incident of RMS insisting on only using machines where the software is free (as in freedom) it doesn't make mucha of a difference as you say.
But if you look at the greater picture where RMS is one of the premier advocates for free software it makes a huge difference. He gains credibility by the bucketloads by refusing to use nonfree software, and he can't be called a hypocrite - he actually acts as he preaches. Look at Jgrahamc's comment above for an example. Whether or not it gives him personal freedom I don't know.
It's all about the signal: that's how discussions and politics follow. I have a friend who is strictly vegetarian because of the reactions and discussions that follow, even though he believes otherwise that we sometimes do more harm to our environment in subtle indirect ways (like a fruit company which would contribute to regimes in third world countries).
There are plenty of examples of this from Jesus to Nelson Mandela. It's not about being a martyr or experiencing personal pain, it's about holding true to your values no matter what. It's a very hard thing to do, but that is how you change the world.
Also I disagree about being able to change the world best from extremist positions. The world isn't perfect. You have to be willing to compromise, and accept that you won't get everything you want (At least in one go).
Sure, extremists are sort of to be admired in how strongly they believe in their cause, and how they're often willing to die for it (Or put up with using a 9" computer), but I think far more is accomplished by moderate, compromising people who work toward their goals step by step.
For one thing, he's lost a potential audience - most people will simply write him off as a mad extremist hippy, and not listen to anything he says.
And how much difference has the whole 'free software movement' made when the whole of HN is salivating over perhaps the most closed device ever created with the iPad.
I'd never seen a pic of RMS before the above link, but given how he looks like a cross between a hippy, a geek and a caveman, I'd say highly unlikely.
(btw, not trying to put the man down, I admire his work!)
I don't laugh at RMS anymore. I feel pity for him. Sure he's written some programs that are used by a lot of people but he wants to appropriate the word freedom for his own purposes. Anyone that doesn't do things that fit his definition of freedom is not allowed to use terms like 'Free' and when it comes to that he can be a bit of a troll and in some ways self-parodying, but don't ask me, just talk to anyone using an MIT or BSD licence who's crossed swords with him.
No, I'm not, you could simply exchange "Sikh with turban" with "guy with a female swimsuit in Manhattan financial district", anyway, sorry for that, my english is awful for non-technical purposes.
For the second paragraph, I do agree with you, but I still think we must not laugh at him or at anyone using a esoteric hardware combination for whatever reason there is in their heads, justified or not, one more information, I saw Stallman at a presentation in the past and he had a HP laptop back in 2002.
That's a crime shared by about anyone with political opinions in the US.