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> Because Linux is a success, it must be because of Linus's particular brand of being a jerk [...] If you have a problem, explain what's wrong calmly and cohere

by zeteo 13y ago

> Because Linux is a success, it must be because of Linus's particular brand of being a jerk [...] If you have a problem, explain what's wrong calmly and coherently, it's more efficient. Simply telling someone that they, or their code, is a piece of shit is not likely to be as efficient. You're setting up quite a straw man there by making it look as though Linus's first reply to things he doesn't like is "this is a piece of shit". In fact, if you go through these threads, in almost every case there is an escalation where he explains his reasoning first, in detail and repeatedly. When someone really doesn't get it, he will indeed escalate to foul language. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so. Unlike established corporations, the Linux community doesn't have options like subtly threatening to fire someone.

anon1385 13y ago
>You're setting up quite a straw man there by making it look as though Linus's first reply to things he doesn't like is "this is a piece of shit". In fact, if you go through these threads, in almost every case there is an escalation where he explains his reasoning first, in detail and repeatedly Yes it's true, his first responds isn't "this is a piece of shit". It's "YOU are a piece of shit". Here is the C++ rant: http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.comp.version-control.git/57643/focus=57918 http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.comp.version-control.git/57643... As far as I can see, that was his first post to that thread. He said his target was "full of bullshit", then proceeded into a rant about how C++ programmers are so bad he wants to deliberately keep them off his projects by pissing them off. I think it's a good example because there are plenty of criticisms of C++ one could make but Linus does a terrible job of putting forward those criticisms. He seems to be so blinded with rage that he can barely form a coherent argument. Additionally, as far as I can tell the people involved here were not old timer core git contributors, they were new people making an honest attempt to contribute, so the argument being put about that he only targets old hands who have a thick skin isn't true.
- shrughes 13y ago
  He didn't write that blinded with rage. He carefully crafted a work of literature. The person he responded to was one of those sociopath fact-assumptors that make every online conversation difficult.
- zeteo 13y ago
  >his first responds isn't "this is a piece of shit". It's "YOU are a piece of shit". Come on, you should be able to construct an argument without making up quotes to support your point: DK: "No idea why [Git is written in pure C instead of C++]. Please don't talk about portability, it's BS." LT: "YOU are full of bullshit. C++ is a horrible language. [7 paragraphs explaining why]"

by zeteo 13y ago

anon1385 13y ago

>You're setting up quite a straw man there by making it look as though Linus's first reply to things he doesn't like is "this is a piece of shit". In fact, if you go through these threads, in almost every case there is an escalation where he explains his reasoning first, in detail and repeatedly Yes it's true, his first responds isn't "this is a piece of shit". It's "YOU are a piece of shit". Here is the C++ rant: http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.comp.version-control.git/57643/focus=57918 http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.comp.version-control.git/57643... As far as I can see, that was his first post to that thread. He said his target was "full of bullshit", then proceeded into a rant about how C++ programmers are so bad he wants to deliberately keep them off his projects by pissing them off. I think it's a good example because there are plenty of criticisms of C++ one could make but Linus does a terrible job of putting forward those criticisms. He seems to be so blinded with rage that he can barely form a coherent argument. Additionally, as far as I can tell the people involved here were not old timer core git contributors, they were new people making an honest attempt to contribute, so the argument being put about that he only targets old hands who have a thick skin isn't true.

shrughes 13y ago
He didn't write that blinded with rage. He carefully crafted a work of literature. The person he responded to was one of those sociopath fact-assumptors that make every online conversation difficult.
zeteo 13y ago
>his first responds isn't "this is a piece of shit". It's "YOU are a piece of shit". Come on, you should be able to construct an argument without making up quotes to support your point: DK: "No idea why [Git is written in pure C instead of C++]. Please don't talk about portability, it's BS." LT: "YOU are full of bullshit. C++ is a horrible language. [7 paragraphs explaining why]"