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What do you think of Richard Stallman? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 4 months ago by gnutard@sh.itjust.works to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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[–] thisisbutaname@discuss.tchncs.de 26 points 4 months ago

First, don't listen to his opinions on anything that isn't about comouters and software. He doesn't have a good track record there.

Do pay attention to his takes on technology and freedom, there's a lot of food for though there.

I was at one of his talks recently, and he's definitely and eccentric fellow. When it comes to free software he's a die hard extremist, and I have a feeling he knows and to a certain extent he does that on purpose. Case in point, he mentioned how he refused hearing aids and would similarly refuse a pacemaker as there are none running on free software.

As such, that's how I take his ideas about free software: a good philosophy taken to the extreme to showcase what'd be possible if we went all in on that, and the dangers of not doing it. Definitely not something that can work for everyone, or a realistic pathway to a world of free software.

I do think, however, that someone like him is fundamental to advance the cause of free software, even if no one takes him literally and emulates his way of life.

I'm not gonna refuse a life saving treatment or device because it runs on propriety software, but I am willing to sacrifice some convenience to use a free software alternative when available.