Why Torvalds is sitting out the GPLv3 process (Linux.com) [LWN.net]

Why Torvalds is sitting out the GPLv3 process (Linux.com)

Posted Sep 27, 2006 18:43 UTC (Wed) by sepreece (guest, #19270)
In reply to: Why Torvalds is sitting out the GPLv3 process (Linux.com) by tjc
Parent article: Why Torvalds is sitting out the GPLv3 process (Linux.com)

In the most recent RMS interview I've seen (<http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=18757>), he comes over as one who clearly believes he is morally superior and looks at the rest of the world as being in need of his superior wisdom. He manages to be paternalistic and contemptuous at the same time that he advocates violating copyright to get access to movies outside DRM.

Of course, this attitude groups him with a lot of other leaders, some of whom we revere as visionaries, some of who we revile as tyrants or fools. Only time will tell. He's pointing at real problems; I just don't believe he's offering real solutions.

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Why Torvalds is sitting out the GPLv3 process (Linux.com)

Posted Sep 27, 2006 20:35 UTC (Wed) by b3timmons (guest, #40286) [Link]

Well, as you acknowledge, what matters in the end is whether he can help come up with solution, not his social manner.

Feelings of moral superiority is probably more prevalent among people than you suggest, so I do not see how the RMS interview shows anything special. It reminds me of the stereotypes of the rude East coasters who say what is on their mind versus the Californians who are afraid to say anything politically incorrect. Many, many people are holier-than-thou--RMS is just uninhibited to the point of occasional rudeness, not the worst quality IMO.