DeVault: Reforming the free software message

Posted Jun 20, 2023 14:01 UTC (Tue) by coriordan (guest, #7544)
In reply to: DeVault: Reforming the free software message by SLi
Parent article: DeVault: Reforming the free software message

"His insistence on discussing certain topics without regard for the social context or potential for misunderstanding"

Yes, this is one of his flaws.

His unusual mind is the reason he was able to create something so amazing, but that same unconventional way of thinking is also his weakness.

DeVault: Reforming the free software message

Posted Jun 21, 2023 8:08 UTC (Wed) by paulj (subscriber, #341) [Link] (4 responses)

It's more his strength. He reasons from his own principles, and he doesn't really consider conforming to professional-social peer thought. Nor will he bend his thinking much after, to social pressure.

We need people like that, just as much as we need the other kind of people, who are more socially pragmatic.

Is RMS always right in his reasoning? No, not at all. However it is still good to have someone think through things in a way freed from peer-think, cause they will bring a perspective that at times cuts through bad social group-think. Having people like that is important to a healthy society. Which means there needs to be some recognition and tolerance of such people, and their poor social skills.

tl;dr: I dislike those people who dislike RMS, not on the content of his thoughts and writings, but largely because he is very socially awkward and eccentric.

DeVault: Reforming the free software message

Posted Jun 21, 2023 8:41 UTC (Wed) by farnz (subscriber, #17727) [Link]

And this is why I think that, in a perfect universe, RMS would have started the process of standing down as FSF President 15 years ago, with a view to having actually stood down either 10 years ago or 5 years ago (depending on how long it took to find a suitable replacement). The reason I think it'd take 5 to 10 years to find an RMS replacement is that I think it'd take that long to find someone RMS can be happy with, and that's critical to making this succeed.

RMS in a specially created Emeritus President post at the FSF (removing him from the board officially, but giving him the rights of a board member without responsibility), specifically because he is the founder and provider of the original vision for the Foundation, with someone else (younger) taking over as President, would be a perfect setup; whenever people's issues with RMS as an individual come up, the new President is in a position to point out that RMS has retired from an active role, and detach the FSF from RMS. But, as Emeritus President, RMS is still on hand to give the new President guidance, and RMS is still in a position to write helpful philosophical treatises that the FSF can publish where they're relevant to software.

DeVault: Reforming the free software message

Posted Jun 21, 2023 8:42 UTC (Wed) by mattdm (subscriber, #18) [Link] (2 responses)

I dislike that his inappropriate actions have driven people away from community-built software (whatever you want to label it). Many people in this area are socially awkward or inept, but learn how to act towards others nonetheless. Intent matters in how we approach people who are causing problems in our communities -- but ultimately is no excuse for harmful impact.

DeVault: Reforming the free software message

Posted Jun 21, 2023 8:59 UTC (Wed) by paulj (subscriber, #341) [Link] (1 responses)

I don't disagree with that either. He's not a good outward representative.

Still, I think we should also recognise he has done good.

There isn't a person here who has not - at some point - said things that made others feel awkward, or bad, or hurt. Some nuance is needed. And some ability to separate ideas from the person who thought of them. There are no perfect leaders.

DeVault: Reforming the free software message

Posted Jun 21, 2023 9:42 UTC (Wed) by mjg59 (subscriber, #23239) [Link]

We should not assume that criticism implies rejection of the good that someone has done.