* * *

you have to trust him, as the author of emacs and gcc, if you use them. admittedly, they are foss software, but have you (or anyone) ever trawled thru either for loopholes? i know i haven't.

rms seemed as every bit the fanatic and extremist, but I knew, even entering college in 1989, that software (and hardware) freedom was endangered, and needed us to take extraordinary steps to preserve and expand it.

I deeply appreciate his work as the founder of the free software movement. Digital goods can be replicated for no cost, and this, combined with the spirit of free software really made for something special.

Getting that level of trust is the hardest part. If you don't mind losing performance, HEADS + Qubes OS try to get that on older thinkpads.

Yes, I do think that way, but of course it doesn't mean that I don't participate. I just consider it when it comes to choosing these things into my life.

I don't even think that most people need to think about this. It's enough that a few security minded people do, and that they end up pushing for good regulation. Similarly to food safety, we then end up in a system where you can go to most places and expect to not get food poisoning.