I know the guy is one of the founders of the free software movement, but he is not helping the image now. He should step down for the good of the community. I am not against people having different views, but those in prominent positions have responsibilities and will be judged on what they say.
I bet @dickturpin has an opinion on this.
!BEER
I do. But I have some questions that should give an idea of my train of thought in the paragraphs below?
RMS reminds me of the English Civil war. Thousands died so that we could cut off the head of a king only to promptly re-establish the Monarchy because we felt we couldn't survive without a royal presence. The same can obviously be said of the Free Software Foundation (FSF), who may have felt they couldn't carry on without the prestige that Stallman supposedly brings. This does beg the question, was Stallman told to go away for a bit until the dust settled? Personally, I doubt it. Has he served a long enough banishment? Are 557 Days (18 months 1 week) long enough? That all spends on peoples, answer to questions 1 & 2, really.
Our British justice system is based on rehabilitation as we are not killing criminals or sending them to Oz any more. RMS has not actually committed a crime that I know of. Whether actions deserve a life ban will depend on various factors and it is up to those with the power to impose it. From what I have heard about RMS he lacks some social skills and may not filter what he says. We know the free software world has others like this, but they may be good at what they do. FSF have to weigh up whether his presence is good for them.
I do think 'political correctness' (horrible term) can go too far, but those who say offensive things can expect to be called out.
I think "Rehabilitation" relates to everything, not just criminal acts.
I remember Matthew Copperthwaite telling me, having seen RMS at a talk, how RMS sat on the stage, picking his toenails and flicking the gunge everywhere. 🤢
It's amazing how one minute it's all "A well, they have bipolar so the fact they broke into the nuclear defence department......" and then the next minute "RMS may well have social skill issues but what he wrote was degrading to women....."
I'm glad I'm old. I pity the so-called younger generation. I really do. There are so many minefields people have to be careful of. No wonder everyone these days uses online dating sites and apps. It's the only way you can safely set out what you like without offending someone by saying to them, "I only like shaved." 😜
Yup. I experienced this. He doesn't have any tact and does far too much grooming in public. The fact that he was picking at his toe nails is the least of it. I've seen and heard of much worse.
The unfortunately individuals who shook his hands after the fact not realizing where they've been can attest to that.
My issues with him are.
He's a very toxic individual, irrelevant of being politically correct. He's just mean, rude, and so many things where he should not be the model for what the FSF strives to be.
Rehabilitation IS possible, but given the fact that his behavior has been consistent for several decades now, I doubt a year has changed his world perspective.
At this point his presence will hurt the FSF. Redhat for example has cut all funding and contribution both financial and otherwise to the FSF. Case in point: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2021/03/statement-re-election-richard-stallman-fsf-board.
Basically does he do more good being involved in the FSF than being absent? In my view he'll benefit the movement better by walking away from it. Not to mention he's misogynist, sexist, and just a horrible human being.
Side note, this random blog got way more activity than I ever expected. :D
There you go then, and I'll side with your view. TBH I wasn't bothered either way, other than I'm always uneasy with someone being outcast for the rest of their lives once they've completed their sentence. If anything, I have more of an issue with FSF and, more importantly, FSFE who get involved in political areas they have no businesses being in IMV.
The world has changed mate. People live their lives online now, for better or worse. I still think most are actually decent, but the exceptions show up more and can't get away with saying hateful things. Well, some politicians do...
My daughter met her boyfriend at a gig, so they bonded over their love of music. She's not particularly active online anyway.
About the only good thing is the fact a lot of people put down their sexual preferences. Back in my day that would have saved a lot of time. 🤣