Unable to load image

Famous programmer Drew DeVault says that "the Free Software Foundation is dying" and needs "more leaders of color, women, LGBTQ representation, and others". Hacker News and /g/ disagree.

https://drewdevault.com/2023/04/11/2023-04-11-The-FSF-is-dying.html

Comments:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35524297 [178 comments]

https://old.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/12ijhs4/the_free_software_foundation_is_dying/?sort=controversial [19 comments, removed]

https://archived.moe/g/thread/92712732 [367 replies]

https://archived.moe/g/thread/92716274 [still active, so far 57 replies]

https://fosstodon.org/@drewdevault/110180214217072221

There was some pushback, so Drew addressed the haters on HN:

Many people in this thread take offense at the calls to (1) remove RMS because of his problematic behavior and (2) promote diverse people to leadership positions.

I will reply to all of these comments at once: get a fricking grip.

No one, including myself, is calling for RMS to be removed because he has the wrong skin color or s*x. He needs to go because he acts as if his demographics are the right demographics, and those who don't have those traits feel unwelcome and uncomfortable under his leadership. That's a problem with RMS, not with his demographic identity, and someone possessing his demographic traits (which, I presume, are probably shared with most of the commenters upset about this), but lacking his problematic behaviors, would be a welcome change.

As for the inclusion of more diverse leaders:

1. There is more than one leadership position at the FSF.

2. I am not calling for non-proportional representation, or for forcing proportional representation either.

If you feel threatened because someone called for a jerk who looks similar to you to be kicked out of a project, that's a personal problem. If you feel threatened by the prospect of being led by people who look dissimilar to you, that's a personal problem.

Again, to sum it up: get a grip. Jesus.

That's right, do better, chuds! :marseyhesright:

149
Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

We need more leaders of color, women, LGBTQ representation, and others besides. The present leadership, particularly from RMS, creates an exclusionary environment in a place where inclusion and representation are important for the success of the movement.

This all feels like a prank

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

So this is how foss die :marseydoomer:

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

:marseycapitalistmanlet#:

This was their endgame all along, to be able to sell us software that autists are currently producing for free

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

https://i.rdrama.net/images/1681247336545569.webp

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

https://i.rdrama.net/images/16812486665668223.webp

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

https://i.rdrama.net/images/16812486768238153.webp

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

https://i.rdrama.net/images/1681250566166043.webp

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

We need more leaders of color, women, LGBTQ representation, and others besides.

Why? Aren't 90% of programmers straight white males? Why do they need somebody who looks different than them running things?

If we're going to use that logic, shouldn't all countries in Africa and Asia be governed by white people, since whites are a minority there? Why does this "minority representation" rationale only ever get applied to take things away from white people?

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

Aren't 90% of programmers straight white males?

Programming socks are a meme for a reason dear, you're forgetting a very important demographic.

It's okay, they won't forget you.

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

He's forgetting all of the H1B workers as well

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

A lot of Asian corps are run by yt

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

Really? Which ones?

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

https://i.rdrama.net/images/16812704227763577.webp https://i.rdrama.net/images/16812694622970078.webp

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

Wow. Thanks, king!

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

who is this dude anyway?

Jump in the discussion.

No email address required.

Link copied to clipboard
Action successful!
Error, please refresh the page and try again.