The most innocuous mention of Stallman's name inevitably provokes an emotional remark. I was struck most by the date of that announcement. Stallman has dedica

The most innocuous mention of Stallman's name inevitably provokes an emotional remark. I was struck most by the date of that announcement. Stallman has dedicated 30 years "[putting] together a sufficient body of free software so that I will be able to get along without any software that is not free". That represents a monumental commitment to principle. You can call him unyielding, uncompromising, demanding, and I won't quibble. But unreasonable? That word has too many connotations of unfairness or lack of consideration, a bit ad hominem for my taste. We need leaders at the extremes, the deep thinkers, the rabble rousers, for these are the people who actually change the world. The politicians moderate those influences, making the compromises that are necessary, preventing wild swings of the needle. Be glad that RMS isn't a politician - he is more effective where he is.