Being associated with an idea doesn't mean that you're doing anything for adoption of the idea. In the UK David Ike is strongly associated with believing the r

Being associated with an idea doesn't mean that you're doing anything for adoption of the idea. In the UK David Ike is strongly associated with believing the royal family are lizard people but it's doing nothing to get his views any real traction. I'd almost argue the opposite. By being so intransigent and operating outside many social norms, I think you could make a case that Stallman damages how his views are percieved.