Live data from Hacker News

In Defense of Richard Stallman

geoff.greer.fm

21–30 of 681 posts

Re: In Defense of Richard Stallman

#21
post #3

He might’ve been an influential figure, but he’s still a creep. Just because someone made something once doesn’t mean we should turn a blind eye towards them.

How is he a creep and what did he do to justify how he was treated? Did you read his comment about his defense of Marvin Lee Minsky? Precisely what was creepy or wrong about it?

It is not an isolated incident. There are multiple documented cases of him behaving like a creep and spouting "controversial" statements.

Re: In Defense of Richard Stallman

#22
post #3

He might’ve been an influential figure, but he’s still a creep. Just because someone made something once doesn’t mean we should turn a blind eye towards them.

> What’s most disturbing about this is how many of my friends and peers support Stallman’s removal. At first it was because they took the false accusations at face value. When I pointed out that these accusations were lies, they supported Stallman’s removal for other reasons. They focused on his tone deaf communication style and awkward demeanor. They spoke of behavior from decades ago and pointed out the fact that h…

the problem is a combination of being socially clueless but also being entirely unable to change because asking rms to change will escalate into an endless discussion about principles where he was always justified, no matter the topic, so people stopped trying at some point and went for plant defense[1] instead.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Richard_Stallman/Archive_...

Re: In Defense of Richard Stallman

#23
There's quite a lot in this. I don't think it's helpful to throw in stuff like "He is now likely homeless" - gossip/rumour I'm sure this author would be decrying if the other side of the argument had brought it up. We don't know anything about RMS's personal life and shouldn't speculate.

Now let's address the underlying point: You don't get X good thing without Y bad behaviour. I don't agree with this. It's a weird sort of blackmail "Put up with my bad behaviour because you need me". Firstly, For all we know, if we had been less tolerant of bad treatment of people in the free software movement, it'd be a much more powerful movement today than if we had allowed a small number of toxic individuals to take leadership roles and drive out many potential contributors. I see that as no less likely than the scenario put out in this defense.

Secondly, this attitude shifts the responsibility away from the individual for their actions. If someone has a lot to contribute but it never happens because their attitude sucks, that's on them. It's not on us to enable them.

Re: In Defense of Richard Stallman

#24
this just makes me sad. I believe, everything Stallman said but I could never say it out loud. He did. He was right.

"Whatever conduct you want to criticize, you should describe it with a specific term that avoids moral vagueness about the nature of the criticism."

Re: In Defense of Richard Stallman

#26
post #3

He might’ve been an influential figure, but he’s still a creep. Just because someone made something once doesn’t mean we should turn a blind eye towards them.

The article also clearly states "As far as I can tell, the worst allegations against Stallman involve him being a socially clueless aspie", which I believe matches your "he's still a creep". I tend to agree, he's not a socially well adjusted person. But did that really interfere with his work for the FSF? From what I can gather, he did a pretty good job at it :-/

Re: In Defense of Richard Stallman

#27

Am i reading it correctly that the author implies that the end justifies the means (in this case stallmans behaviour) because without it we would not have what we have today. Unless you have a time machine that is just speculation.

There was nothing really wrong in Stallman's behavior apart from being "odd", apparently odd enough to make people uncomfortable.

"The end justifies the means" makes it sound like he was a Nazi soldier.

Tell me what you mean by "the means".

Re: In Defense of Richard Stallman

#28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How is he a creep and what did he do to justify how he was treated? Did you read his comment about his defense of Marvin Lee Minsky? Precisely what was creepy or wrong about it?

It is not an isolated incident. There are multiple documented cases of him behaving like a creep and spouting "controversial" statements.

1. What's your evidence? Where are these "documented" cases? 2. What incident are you referring to? His comments that led to his removal were about language and preciseness. Did you read his comment? Are you sure you know what the background/context is here?

Re: In Defense of Richard Stallman

#29

this just makes me sad. I believe, everything Stallman said but I could never say it out loud. He did. He was right. "Whatever conduct you want to criticize, you should describe it with a specific term that avoids moral vagueness about the nature of the criticism."

And, somewhat ironically, he is being criticized in non specific terms which allow moral vagueness (which is the only reason this specific witch hunt is still going on).

Re: In Defense of Richard Stallman

#30

Am i reading it correctly that the author implies that the end justifies the means (in this case stallmans behaviour) because without it we would not have what we have today. Unless you have a time machine that is just speculation.

No. The author says that there are no "means" to speak of, there is perhaps a communication issue Stallman has. The author argues that such issues should be tolerated to a reasonable degree, otherwise the society as a whole may end up poorer. I make no claim about the truthfulness of that, but that's what the author says.
Post reply on HN