GNU/Linux World Domination for the Wrong Reasons (Datamation) [LWN.net]

GNU/Linux World Domination for the Wrong Reasons (Datamation)

Posted Mar 11, 2008 18:37 UTC (Tue) by felixrabe (subscriber, #50514)
In reply to: GNU/Linux World Domination for the Wrong Reasons (Datamation) by mmarsh
Parent article: GNU/Linux World Domination for the Wrong Reasons (Datamation)

For me it's all the same.  I get way less frustrated with computers in real life if I know
that I could (at least theoretically, given some time) change their stupid behavior.  The
freedoms that Stallman fights for are very pragmatical to me for this very reason.

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GNU/Linux World Domination for the Wrong Reasons (Datamation)

Posted Mar 11, 2008 19:04 UTC (Tue) by martinfick (subscriber, #4455) [Link]

Yes, "pragmatism" is such a derogatory condescending term.  Its use always implies that the
rest of the world everyone (who was not covered by the label) is unrealistic.  The word
inherently involves a value judgment but pretends to be neutral; it can never be used without
bashing the other side and really should just be avoided since it conveys nothing of real
value (except for the bashing.)

The above statement is not meant to imply any form of Linus vs. Stallman comparison.  Both men
have great valuable opinions (both are idealists!) from which I have learned a lot, neither
which I agree with either 100% (should anyone?) Both have accomplished great things for the
free software users.

GNU/Linux World Domination for the Wrong Reasons (Datamation)

Posted Mar 11, 2008 19:18 UTC (Tue) by mmarsh (subscriber, #17029) [Link]

That's certainly not the way I use "pragmatism."  An ideological "purity" has its value, and
certainly provides a (generally) long-term goal.  Many pragmatists are idealistic, and many
idealists are pragmatic.  It's more a question of which motivates you more on a day-to-day
basis.