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I have no idea what you're talking about. Please tell me how taking a controversial position on sex advances the cause of software freedom. The free software mo
by wwarner 7y ago
I have no idea what you're talking about. Please tell me how taking a controversial position on sex advances the cause of software freedom. The free software movement isn't about providing a platform for people to discuss their sex lives.
Imagine you're in court, say you've been charged with something extremely serious and you're completely innocent. Your lawyer decides to argue your case by referring bitterly to a different, utterly hopeless case that he's losing. You wouldn't cheer him on for exercising his right to free speech -- you'd fire him and get an attorney that knew how to focus attention on a persuasive argument.
- zaptheimpaler 7y agoIt doesn't advance the cause of software freedom. Should we all just shut up about anything that doesn't advance the cause of the organizations that we're part of?
- wwarner 7y agoFSF board members should.
- zaptheimpaler 7y agoYeah that's what I disagree with. And its not about board members only - rank and file employees regularly get fired for expressing opinions not endorsed by their orgs.
- wwarner 7y agoWhat does that have to do with RMS?
- zaptheimpaler 7y agoNothing. If you go back and read my first post, it's only about using what happened here to talk about a broader issue. I don't even like RMS My point is eloquently summarized by someone else here: "I guess free speech still exists in non-controversial matters, and for people who don't have to worry about employment."
- neumann 7y agoyou still have free speech - what you don't have is immunity to real world consequences if your views are so far out of whack with social norms regarding exploitation of vulnerable groups (eg. underage kids) that your coworkers and colleagues do not wish you to be representative of their organisation or their leader.