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This is something that has always bothered me about Linus. There are other extremely gifted programmers out there that don't seem to need to resort to this kind

This is something that has always bothered me about Linus. There are other extremely gifted programmers out there that don't seem to need to resort to this kind of persona. I always enjoyed hearing John Carmack speak because he is extremely smart and knowledgable and he doesn't look like he has a superiority complex. But the real problem with Linus is the example he sets. I am not a kernel dev, so I don't know the validity of his rants but I assume he is mostly right. But this certainly sends a message to less-talented developers that it's okay to be a dick when you are right. Ultimately I feel that the most important thing I have learned as a developer is to never associate your ego with your code. I've done that in the past and take great pains to not repeat it. Don't look at your PR as some great work of art that should be perfect. If both sides of the code review treat it as a collaborative process then you can both learn something from it.

Boulth 8y ago
Note that Linus has to deal with a lot of random people on the mailing list while Carmack doesn't have this kind of job. Also, I don't think Linus has superiority complex, although I don't know him personally. I guess it's just a classic example of technical person that has weak soft skills.
ordu 8y ago
What really bothers me, it when people start to speak about someone who "sends message", "sets wrong example" and so on. It bothers me, when people think about others, like they are less intelligent. If you can see, that Linus's behaviour is wrong and shouldn't be followed, why do you think, that other could not see it? It is because all others are stupid children and they need to be led to the right direction, isn't it? You know, I'm russian, and I see a lot of this thinking around me, all the deeply patriotic and deeply religious people around me thinks like that. "We should restrict access to internet, for others do not get information they are too stupid to understand properly". I hate it, and probably extra-sensitive for such a thinking, and it really bothers me when I see it. I can suggest different way of thinking: if Linus's behaviour is wrong, then it gives you endless opportunity to illustrate your point with real world examples. You can compare Carmack with Torvalds because Torvalds exists and being himself.

Boulth 8y ago

Note that Linus has to deal with a lot of random people on the mailing list while Carmack doesn't have this kind of job. Also, I don't think Linus has superiority complex, although I don't know him personally. I guess it's just a classic example of technical person that has weak soft skills.

ordu 8y ago

What really bothers me, it when people start to speak about someone who "sends message", "sets wrong example" and so on. It bothers me, when people think about others, like they are less intelligent. If you can see, that Linus's behaviour is wrong and shouldn't be followed, why do you think, that other could not see it? It is because all others are stupid children and they need to be led to the right direction, isn't it? You know, I'm russian, and I see a lot of this thinking around me, all the deeply patriotic and deeply religious people around me thinks like that. "We should restrict access to internet, for others do not get information they are too stupid to understand properly". I hate it, and probably extra-sensitive for such a thinking, and it really bothers me when I see it. I can suggest different way of thinking: if Linus's behaviour is wrong, then it gives you endless opportunity to illustrate your point with real world examples. You can compare Carmack with Torvalds because Torvalds exists and being himself.