Earlier quoted context omitted.
Well he is right. Linux is not for everyone. It's for people who can learn how to double click an icon that looks different from the one in Windows. That excludes probably 50% of Windows users right there.
This kind of attitude from linux users is significantly responsible for its lack of wider adoption. Who wants to learn something new when the people you need help from are going to treat you like a moron? We both know its more involved than clicking a different icon.
I've spent a lot of time with average users of all kinds. They couldn't care less. To them it's a thing that has less value than a coffee cup.
I could, and would sit down and explain to them everything that is cool, cute about every layers of a computer, with simple language and pragmatic use, with history context, and bits of benefits for their lives. They just don't want to hear it.
Some will say it's geek stuff. Some will say "I'm too scared". Some will try and forget 13 seconds later.
The insane side of this is that these people will spend grands on a new machine that will tickle their sense of free improvement (which will not happen). Again every 3-5 years.. forced by ecosystemic pressure to push old stuff out.
ps: I agree that GP was a bit smug, but even then, the population is what it is.
pps: even at work, if I offer to explain something, or write a script, or a macro to help, most people will react negatively for various reasons (very often its petty emotions, like jealousy, or disdain).