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I get that, they're probably assholes. But if I limited my usage of software and consumption of art to only those not authored by assholes, I would probably hav

by imiric 2y ago

I get that, they're probably assholes. But if I limited my usage of software and consumption of art to only those not authored by assholes, I would probably have a less enjoyable and boring existence. Not to mention exhausting. I think it's possible to separate the art from the artist, and enjoy the art without being concerned about the artist's beliefs, and whether I disagree with them. Also, you don't necessarily support them by using their software. The software is free to use by anyone, and you never have to interact with the authors in any way. Software is an amorphous entity. Unless they're using it to spread their personal beliefs, it shouldn't matter what that is. By choosing not to use free software, you're only depriving yourself. But this is your own choice, of course, and I'm not saying it's wrong. Just offering a different perspective.

kelnos 2y ago
> I get that, they're probably assholes. I think you're setting up a too-general argument here. "Asshole" an encompass a huge variety of things, from "actively genocidal" to just "kinda annoying", and everything in between. I'm pretty "mainstream" demographically (white, straight, cisgender), but if the developer of software I use said something like "all atheists should be shot", I would immediately stop using their software and find something else. > By choosing not to use free software, you're only depriving yourself. Sometimes making a statement means enduring some sort of disadvantage or hardship in return. In fact I think that's part of the point. If it doesn't cost me anything to stop supporting something I find offensive, then my (admittedly mild) protest doesn't really have much substance behind it. In this particular case, there's nothing that the suckless folks have built that doesn't have alternatives that are also free software, so I don't think anyone who refuses to use suckless software is depriving themselves of free software.

by imiric 2y ago

kelnos 2y ago

> I get that, they're probably assholes. I think you're setting up a too-general argument here. "Asshole" an encompass a huge variety of things, from "actively genocidal" to just "kinda annoying", and everything in between. I'm pretty "mainstream" demographically (white, straight, cisgender), but if the developer of software I use said something like "all atheists should be shot", I would immediately stop using their software and find something else. > By choosing not to use free software, you're only depriving yourself. Sometimes making a statement means enduring some sort of disadvantage or hardship in return. In fact I think that's part of the point. If it doesn't cost me anything to stop supporting something I find offensive, then my (admittedly mild) protest doesn't really have much substance behind it. In this particular case, there's nothing that the suckless folks have built that doesn't have alternatives that are also free software, so I don't think anyone who refuses to use suckless software is depriving themselves of free software.