On Sun, 5 May 2002, James B. DiGriz wrote:
> Let's dispense with the messianic crap. That's going off the rail, right
> there. It's more like he's the champion of ideas and an architect of a
> system it's in all our best interests to support, or at least
> understand. Stallman publishes his reasoning and opinions publicly for
> all to see. Maybe he doesn't care for the hero mantle (or yoke) that
> those who constantly psychologize him keep trying to put on his
> shoulders so they can criticize it. I'd probably run for my life, if I
> was constantly hounded by people wanting some kind of emotional
> reassurance, hand-holding, or attention from "the great man." Or I might
> try to annoy people into leaving me the hell alone if they won't take
> the time or trouble to do their homework.
Hey, he chose to be a leader. He embarked on the crusade. Followers are
a given. If he can't handle that, he should step aside.
> You may be right that there are more effective or eloquent spokespersons
> for open source in general. Eric Raymond does come immediately to mind.
> However, Stallman is clear, logical, and consistent, if idiosyncratic.
...and also unrealistic.
> The FSF doesn't concern itself directly with issues that the EFF, say,
> would take up, of course, nor should it. If worst comes to worst,
> though, the GPL may be the last line of defense, and difficult to
> dislodge without forcibly exposing the stacked deck of cards for what it
> is, and rubbing people's faces in a truly disgusting mess.
Fondu.
> No one's ever made a good case to me for ever considering hypocrisy or
> many other of the political virtues to be appropriate to adjust to in
> any way whatsoever. Only the reverse. Pretty sure that kind of thinking
> had a big role in putting my father in an early grave, in fact. YMMV, as
> they say.
Eh, to each his own. Not everyone is willing to play by his rules
unfortunately. He can take his toys and go home if he wants. That's his
perogative. But there's something to be said about learning the rules of
the game and then exploiting them in your favor. And it's much more
rewarding to beat someone on their own court. That is in effect what the
FSF has done with the GPL, but the problem is they can't control
everything, and now Stallman is screaming about it.
So I'm done arguing over Stallman. He's not worth it, and you get way too
emotional over issues.
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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Received on Sun May 05 2002 - 19:23:02 BST