> Rudeness is inferred or "felt" by the other party Not really. When you attack/insult someone, instead of attacking his ideas, it's pretty much universally ac

> Rudeness is inferred or "felt" by the other party Not really. When you attack/insult someone, instead of attacking his ideas, it's pretty much universally accepted that you're being an asshole. It's not a matter of debate, interpretation, feelings or political correctness. In his first reply Linus is being an asshole and there is no justification about that. Those who defend him should note that even he realized that and apologized.