Linus Torvalds apologizes for his behavior, takes time off

Post by TomVDB » Mon, Sep 17, 2018, 12:32 AM UTC

serf wrote: post #426

TomVDB wrote: post #385

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Would you have enjoyed it if you were the object of one of his rants?

In this thought experiment, which one of us is correct (technically)? If he's correct: I'd be upset at being wrong about something, but hopefully i'd have willpower to sober up to the fact that I may in fact be wrong once in awhile. If I'm correct: I'd be upset because a person I respect is technically wrong about something, and then decided to rant about it. Choice C: What if the question is non-technical? Answer :…

Post by blihp » Mon, Sep 17, 2018, 12:33 AM UTC

tptacek wrote: post #422

blihp wrote: post #395

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've always assumed that when he really goes after someone it was him blowing off steam to maintain his own mental health rather than trying to put on a show. He's been managing a pile of complexity for over two decades that would have crushed most of us long ago. If it has been even moderately for show then sure, he should work on dialing it back (just a bit... i.e. short of getting personal).

See, I felt like I was giving him more credit by saying that his rants were performative: at least that would have an ostensible purpose. If you're abusing other people to "blow off steam", that's kind of a no-brainer "you should go see someone about not having to do that anymore".

Post by anothermoron » Mon, Sep 17, 2018, 12:34 AM UTC

lucio wrote: post #394

mewaj wrote: post #372

And to prove how important it is to be respectful, empathetic and tolerant, the originator of the new Code of Conduct is gloating on Twitter and mocking those who disagree with this move. This is not about being respectful to others, it's about forcing others to be respectful to you. Unfortunately respect is earned, not given, and anything else extracted under duress just breeds resentment.

link?

Post by darkengine » Mon, Sep 17, 2018, 12:35 AM UTC

CoryShmallager wrote: post #302

coffeemug wrote: post #176

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same. Linus always called a spade a spade, and I always respected that. In a culture where the Overton window has shrunk considerably and people habitually hide their thoughts, I think this kind of attitude is more important, not less. People give up ability to say certain things in the name of inclusion, and then lose ability to think those things in the first place. I'll take an asshole over a pushover any day, and…

>In a culture where the Overton window has shrunk considerably How do you figure? Genuinely curious. I think you have to take into account where in the world you're talking about. Perhaps in metropolitan parts of the world this is true, but for other large swaths of the world, especially in politics not just individuals, the opposite is happening with authoritarianism prevailing. It's a pretty stark contrast between…

Post by jack9 » Mon, Sep 17, 2018, 12:37 AM UTC

zamalek wrote: post #134

Zhyl wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. Tech people the world over need to remember the person. I don't even mean in a slightly soppy 'everyone is a real person with real feelings' way. I mean that in a practical sense you really hit productivity if you're rude. Simple exchanges or corrections become arguments because one party was acerbic or inflammatory which caused the second party to be defensive. The discussion gets derailed, the point gets lost.…

I don't treat people the same way, but I appreciate the blunt honesty. If we're having a few drinks as friends and you tell me that I'm an idiot, of course I will take that personally; however, tell me that as a developer and I'm motivated. So far as that goes, my mind works the same as Linus. I err on the side of praise, which makes me different - although my lack of praise for some individuals probably speaks as lo…