It seems pretty clear to me. "people who get offended should be offended" He's saying that if you want to join the team, you should have a thick skin. It's hi

It seems pretty clear to me. "people who get offended should be offended" He's saying that if you want to join the team, you should have a thick skin. It's his prerogative as project leader. Maybe in his view there's a correlation between thick skin and the abilities required for a kernel hacker. "doesn't care for any hurt feelings or lost hours of work, if it just results in what I consider to be a better system." The objective to make a solid kernel is above your feelings, his feeling and anybody else's feelings. "I don't care" Same as above: the kernel is above you. Maybe the harsh language is a good filter. I'm sure there's less politics in the organization with a direct language vs. euphemisms for everything. Kernel programing is harsh.