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He didn't say it to a co-worker, he said it to a hypothetical person that doesn't actually exist in the real world. Quote: "So here's a plea: if you have anyth

He didn't say it to a co-worker, he said it to a hypothetical person that doesn't actually exist in the real world. Quote: "So here's a plea: if you have anything to do with security in a distro, and think that my kids (replace "my kids" with "sales people on the road" if you think your main customers are businesses) need to have the root password to access some wireless network, or to be able to print out a paper, or to change the date-and-time settings, please just kill yourself now. The world will be a better place." EDIT: Why is this getting downvoted? Because the truth doesn't fit the narrative?

kylemaxwell 8y ago
Because it's the same issue.
InclinedPlane 8y ago
At the end of the day Linus is making a very clearcut threat here: "if you harbor a particular idea on this topic then I believe you have no right to exist and should end your life immediately". That's wholly out of bounds in a technical discussion. Especially coming from a person in a position of ultimate power.
- zeroname_ 8y ago
  First of all, the whole thing is hyperbole. Linus doesn't actually believe people should kill themselves over holding that particular opinion, which no actual person holds anyway. Secondly, you added that "you have no right to exist" part yourself. It comes from your imagination, not Linus Torvalds. Lastly, it wasn't a technical discussion. It wasn't on a mailing list. It was a random personal Google Plus post where Linus vented about some annoyance he faced using an actual Linux distribution (OpenSUSE). Obviously he's not in a position of "ultimate power" because he can't force the OpenSUSE guys to change that annoying behavior for him.
amaccuish 8y ago
Because it's completely OTT. There's a reasonable point in there, but he had to go ruin it. It's like the recent Boris Johnson gaff with "letterboxes". A reasonable point pushed out of sight by bravado.

kylemaxwell 8y ago

Because it's the same issue.

InclinedPlane 8y ago

At the end of the day Linus is making a very clearcut threat here: "if you harbor a particular idea on this topic then I believe you have no right to exist and should end your life immediately". That's wholly out of bounds in a technical discussion. Especially coming from a person in a position of ultimate power.

zeroname_ 8y ago
First of all, the whole thing is hyperbole. Linus doesn't actually believe people should kill themselves over holding that particular opinion, which no actual person holds anyway. Secondly, you added that "you have no right to exist" part yourself. It comes from your imagination, not Linus Torvalds. Lastly, it wasn't a technical discussion. It wasn't on a mailing list. It was a random personal Google Plus post where Linus vented about some annoyance he faced using an actual Linux distribution (OpenSUSE). Obviously he's not in a position of "ultimate power" because he can't force the OpenSUSE guys to change that annoying behavior for him.

amaccuish 8y ago

Because it's completely OTT. There's a reasonable point in there, but he had to go ruin it. It's like the recent Boris Johnson gaff with "letterboxes". A reasonable point pushed out of sight by bravado.