3 ms·

I think you're missing the really great point Linus is making: that we (as humans) can find a way to work together on a common goal despite our differences. Li

I think you're missing the really great point Linus is making: that we (as humans) can find a way to work together on a common goal despite our differences. Linus obviously has some differences, and yet is managing to pull off this amazing project that affects so many of us. Forget business and software development, the world needs to learn how to work this way, because there's no way the entire world will ever "be professional" in that we all agree to the same ideology and behaviour. If the human race as a whole is going to function effectively, we need to be able to work together even though we don't always agree. If we can do that, as Linus does, we win.

KaeseEs 13y ago
"Being professional" is not about all agreeing to the same ideology, but consistent standards of behavior are the core of professionalism. If we cannot agree that screaming "SHUT THE FUCK UP!" and calling people brain-damaged and "worthless piece[s] of shit" (as Linus has done elsewhere; the specific example in the OP isn't as bad) is inconsonant with professionalism, the concept has lost all meaning. There are ways to express disagreement or that someone's actions are wrong without namecalling, screaming, profanity (which is not always problematic in many environments, but can get off the rails) or dressing them down publicly. Linus isn't a drill sergeant and his poor imitation thereof when he power trips doesn't get his point across any better than just saying "X was a bad decision, don't do it again for reasons Y and Z".
- Tuna-Fish 13y ago
  > Linus isn't a drill sergeant That's right, he's actually a lieutenant in reserve of the FDF. He got his start of leading men by training a bunch of recruits for FDF, and his leadership style "management by Perkele" very closely matches the one found all over in Finland among other reserve leaders (Finland maintains conscription, and officer training is considered a very good experience for leadership roles even outside the military). Not an imitation.
- robmclarty 13y ago
  Yeah, I personally don't really agree that name-calling and dressing people down publicly is really the most effective method of altering a team's behaviour for the greater good of a project. I guess I'm just thinking about the vast array of conflicting opinions and ideas around the world and how they might mesh together to form some kind of cohesive whole, in general. So, like, I don't agree that the name-calling is effective. But, maybe, Linus does. Can we still work together even though we might be screaming at each other? Can we still make progress? If we can do that (without debilitating each other) I think that could be seen as a good thing. Linus' point is that there is no universal definition of "professional" and there never will be. There's just a bunch of different humans walking around on this rock floating in space, each with their own minds and ideas about what's right and what makes the most sense (sometimes similar, often times different). With billions of us out there, it's probably impossible for us to all be on the same page at all times. But maybe we can be on the same page, for some things, some of the time and tolerate the other things where we're not on the same page in the interest of progress (however you want to define "progress"). I think that's more realistic, and I think that's all we can ever hope for. There are no "rails" when it comes to human behaviour, imho.

KaeseEs 13y ago

"Being professional" is not about all agreeing to the same ideology, but consistent standards of behavior are the core of professionalism. If we cannot agree that screaming "SHUT THE FUCK UP!" and calling people brain-damaged and "worthless piece[s] of shit" (as Linus has done elsewhere; the specific example in the OP isn't as bad) is inconsonant with professionalism, the concept has lost all meaning. There are ways to express disagreement or that someone's actions are wrong without namecalling, screaming, profanity (which is not always problematic in many environments, but can get off the rails) or dressing them down publicly. Linus isn't a drill sergeant and his poor imitation thereof when he power trips doesn't get his point across any better than just saying "X was a bad decision, don't do it again for reasons Y and Z".

Tuna-Fish 13y ago
> Linus isn't a drill sergeant That's right, he's actually a lieutenant in reserve of the FDF. He got his start of leading men by training a bunch of recruits for FDF, and his leadership style "management by Perkele" very closely matches the one found all over in Finland among other reserve leaders (Finland maintains conscription, and officer training is considered a very good experience for leadership roles even outside the military). Not an imitation.
robmclarty 13y ago
Yeah, I personally don't really agree that name-calling and dressing people down publicly is really the most effective method of altering a team's behaviour for the greater good of a project. I guess I'm just thinking about the vast array of conflicting opinions and ideas around the world and how they might mesh together to form some kind of cohesive whole, in general. So, like, I don't agree that the name-calling is effective. But, maybe, Linus does. Can we still work together even though we might be screaming at each other? Can we still make progress? If we can do that (without debilitating each other) I think that could be seen as a good thing. Linus' point is that there is no universal definition of "professional" and there never will be. There's just a bunch of different humans walking around on this rock floating in space, each with their own minds and ideas about what's right and what makes the most sense (sometimes similar, often times different). With billions of us out there, it's probably impossible for us to all be on the same page at all times. But maybe we can be on the same page, for some things, some of the time and tolerate the other things where we're not on the same page in the interest of progress (however you want to define "progress"). I think that's more realistic, and I think that's all we can ever hope for. There are no "rails" when it comes to human behaviour, imho.