It's time to talk about post-RMS Free Software

Re:It's time to talk about post-RMS Free Software by krapp on Saturday September 14, 2019 @09:51AM (#20970733)

>No defense for RMS' statement, it's absurd, but if there's no moderation whatsoever in regards to a proportionate response (eg. he's either "clean" or "unclean"), then no one else is safe as the mob ratchets up it's criteria for existing as a virtuous person.

What more proportionate response would you suggest?

So far, the only alternative responses I've seen offered are that Stallman is either correct or the true victim, and we should sympathize with him, respect him and let him be.

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Re:It's time to talk about post-RMS Free Software by rubbingalcohol on Saturday September 14, 2019 @09:52AM (#20970746)

How about call him an asshole, let him learn from his mistake (or not) and move on?

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Re:It's time to talk about post-RMS Free Software by krapp on Saturday September 14, 2019 @09:59AM (#20970797)

So basically, just put up with it and do nothing consequential?

RMS isn't some random asshole who made a slightly off-color remark, he's a leader whose influence and cult of personality have shaped the culture around F/OSS development and programming for decades, who appears to have troubling issues around the concept of sex and consent with minors. He's also a man known for his intransigence, so the chances of him "learning his lesson" seem low.

To say that he doesn't deserve to be inconvenienced by the social consequences of opinions that would ostracize anyone else isn't proportionate, it's elitist.

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Re:It's time to talk about post-RMS Free Software by mikeash on Saturday September 14, 2019 @10:21AM (#20970929)

“Gosh, why are there so few women in tech? It’s such a mystery. I guess the female brain just isn’t as suited for programming. There is definitely nothing we can or should do to change the situation.”

I am so disgusted with this community right now.

[ Parent | on HN ]