Re:Linus: People take me much too seriously, I can't say stu...
by skywhopper on Wednesday April 03, 2019 @02:07PM
(#19565662)
I think you are overstating the situation dramatically. The fact that you use words like "political correctness" and "SJW" tells me a lot about where you've gotten your ideas from. (Also the cute bit about "tolerance" is getting outdated, but it doesn't even have anything to do with this situation. No one is asking Linus for "tolerance".)
But maybe take a step back from all of that, and try to look at things in a different way.
You say "his project, his rules." But that's not the same as not being in "bad form". Plenty of "nice guys" are also abusive to their subordinates. Linus was verbally abusive to contributors, and it happened over and over again. Sure, he has to put up with a lot and has a ton of pressure on him. But profanity laced rants are not the only way to "trounce the idiots".
Lots of people could deal with Linus's behavior. But it also drove a lot more people away. Talented, dedicated workers who could have contributed to Linux but stopped because of the culture around kernel development. Even if you personally think he's a nice guy and was never "in bad form", the actual impact of his behavior on the kernel community was a negative thing. It was bad for Linux. So I'm glad he stepped away and got some help, and that he's come back a little more thoughtful about how his own behavior impacts others. It was necessary for the continued success of Linux.
Ultimately that's what this is about. It's possible to say the same thing and send the same message in ways that are hurtful to other people and in ways that aren't. Sometimes in anger or impatience or fear we lash out in a hurtful way. But part of growing up and being a good leader is finding better ways to express ourselves to avoid being hurtful if we can help it.
Taking time to be thoughtful and constructive in your communication is part of being a good leader. Insults and profanity do not add clarity--they are a needless distraction. It's not "political correctness" to take a moment and not give into your first instinct to lash out and insult others. It's not an "SJW mindset" to be clear and direct and avoid being needlessly hurtful.
But maybe take a step back from all of that, and try to look at things in a different way.
You say "his project, his rules." But that's not the same as not being in "bad form". Plenty of "nice guys" are also abusive to their subordinates. Linus was verbally abusive to contributors, and it happened over and over again. Sure, he has to put up with a lot and has a ton of pressure on him. But profanity laced rants are not the only way to "trounce the idiots".
Lots of people could deal with Linus's behavior. But it also drove a lot more people away. Talented, dedicated workers who could have contributed to Linux but stopped because of the culture around kernel development. Even if you personally think he's a nice guy and was never "in bad form", the actual impact of his behavior on the kernel community was a negative thing. It was bad for Linux. So I'm glad he stepped away and got some help, and that he's come back a little more thoughtful about how his own behavior impacts others. It was necessary for the continued success of Linux.
Ultimately that's what this is about. It's possible to say the same thing and send the same message in ways that are hurtful to other people and in ways that aren't. Sometimes in anger or impatience or fear we lash out in a hurtful way. But part of growing up and being a good leader is finding better ways to express ourselves to avoid being hurtful if we can help it.
Taking time to be thoughtful and constructive in your communication is part of being a good leader. Insults and profanity do not add clarity--they are a needless distraction. It's not "political correctness" to take a moment and not give into your first instinct to lash out and insult others. It's not an "SJW mindset" to be clear and direct and avoid being needlessly hurtful.