undefined | Better HN

0 pointsrollcat8mo ago0 comments

> I also do not understand why anyone would drop the GPL because Stallman does not like their licensing.

Stallman is said to be notoriously difficult to work with, and IMHO he's quite an extremist.

He tried to veto emoji support in Emacs, because at the time it's only been supported on macOS. The reasonable recourse would've been add emoji support on the free platforms, but he seemingly can't see that far. So he's been ousted from the project.

In situations like this, I honestly would prefer to shut him off as well. I have huge respect for his past work, but at this point he's doing more harm than good.

0 comments

throwaway9899p8mo ago

To understand the value of his behaviour, you need to look at it from a broader strategic point of view, particularly the idea of setting the overtone window.

Without Stallman, the moderate would be cast as the extremist.

Stallman’s positive contribution to humanity cannot be overstated by any measure. Without him and the like of him, it is not improbable that the whole software industry would be like Apple ecosystem.

rollcatOP8mo ago

I do recognise and respect his past work. But he's come to a point where he'd rather hinder the progress of free software than help it. That's not extremist, that's short-sighted and spiteful.

That, and the uh, "it's not rape if..." comments. I wouldn't want anything to do with this guy following that, just no.

graemep8mo ago

> Stallman is said to be notoriously difficult to work with, and IMHO he's quite an extremist.

You do not have to work with him to use the GPL. You can use the GPL and ignore him completely. Its just a license.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse