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And yet he continues to be mocked on sites like HN.

pyre 12y ago
Things that don't help: - When people want to point out that "Stallman predicted this X years ago," they phase it as, "Richard Stallman was right, as usual." Richard Stallman is not infallible. Overstating one's case doesn't win any new friends. - There are many of Stallman's "followers" that are very aggressive at promoting the GPLv3 over all other open source licenses. While this might not be Stallman's personal position on the matter, if definitely doesn't win many people over (and probably pushes many away). - Richard Stallman isn't necessarily the most lovable and charismatic figure. While people shouldn't factor that in to things when evaluating his message, they do.
- Angostura 12y ago
  When people take the phrase: " Stallman was right, as usual." and suggest that this is a claim of infallibility. Overstating one's case doesn't win any new friends. The claim is that on these issues Stallman is more usually right than wrong. Do you have anything that suggests otherwise?
  - pyre 12y ago
    'As usual' is unnecessary unless you're trying to passively aggressively say "I told you so," or imply that people should blindly accept everything that Stallman says.
    - crpatino 12y ago
      I would hardly tell anyone to blindly accept everything or anything Stallman (or for the matter, any charismatic leader) says. However, "I told you so" is a phrase much needed these days... specially directed towards people that insist on making the same kind of mistakes that drove us to the mess we're right now.
      - pyre 12y ago
        Look. Coming from someone that already "drinks the kool-aid" I find those people off-putting. Do you really think that people who currently disbelieve are going to suddenly "see the light" from them? It comes across to me as a massive circle-jerk. "Look! I^HStallman was right!" Think about it this way. What would make you consider a vegan diet/lifestyle? A person calmly having a reasoned discussion with you, presenting you with facts, and chatting about your concerns? Or the 'angry vegan' on the street corner screaming "Meat is Murder" and "Shame on you" to everyone passing by? > However, "I told you so" is a phrase much needed these days... specially directed towards people that insist on making the same kind of mistakes that drove us to the mess we're right now. "I told you so" is the opposite of constructive. If you feel that it is constructive, I suggest that you re-evaluate your methods for dealing with other people.
    - dredmorbius 12y ago
      I usually avoid such comments, but: the only person in this thread criticizing Stallman is you. Did he tell you your dog was ugly once or something?
- dredmorbius 12y ago
  I certainly am not claiming infallability. But in a corner of the world where predictions are a dime a gross, Stallman's made many, and his record of hits is considerable. Adding to his credibility and significance are the fact that: ⚫ He's not commercially vested in his predictions. Unlike virtually everyone else in the space, whose "technology forecaster" title is followed by some company name. ⚫ His logic is Talmudic in its rigor. If Stallman has a position on something, it's virtually always because he's thought it through very thoroughly. Even if you don't agree with the conclusions (or if it turns out he was wrong), you're almost always better off knowing why he came to that conclusion. ⚫ He gores sacred cows. Much of the antipathy toward Stallman comes from those whose business model he's just invalidated. Or worse, proven to be utterly and completely socially and morally indefensible.

pyre 12y ago

Things that don't help: - When people want to point out that "Stallman predicted this X years ago," they phase it as, "Richard Stallman was right, as usual." Richard Stallman is not infallible. Overstating one's case doesn't win any new friends. - There are many of Stallman's "followers" that are very aggressive at promoting the GPLv3 over all other open source licenses. While this might not be Stallman's personal position on the matter, if definitely doesn't win many people over (and probably pushes many away). - Richard Stallman isn't necessarily the most lovable and charismatic figure. While people shouldn't factor that in to things when evaluating his message, they do.

Angostura 12y ago
When people take the phrase: " Stallman was right, as usual." and suggest that this is a claim of infallibility. Overstating one's case doesn't win any new friends. The claim is that on these issues Stallman is more usually right than wrong. Do you have anything that suggests otherwise?
- pyre 12y ago
  'As usual' is unnecessary unless you're trying to passively aggressively say "I told you so," or imply that people should blindly accept everything that Stallman says.
  - crpatino 12y ago
    I would hardly tell anyone to blindly accept everything or anything Stallman (or for the matter, any charismatic leader) says. However, "I told you so" is a phrase much needed these days... specially directed towards people that insist on making the same kind of mistakes that drove us to the mess we're right now.
    - pyre 12y ago
      Look. Coming from someone that already "drinks the kool-aid" I find those people off-putting. Do you really think that people who currently disbelieve are going to suddenly "see the light" from them? It comes across to me as a massive circle-jerk. "Look! I^HStallman was right!" Think about it this way. What would make you consider a vegan diet/lifestyle? A person calmly having a reasoned discussion with you, presenting you with facts, and chatting about your concerns? Or the 'angry vegan' on the street corner screaming "Meat is Murder" and "Shame on you" to everyone passing by? > However, "I told you so" is a phrase much needed these days... specially directed towards people that insist on making the same kind of mistakes that drove us to the mess we're right now. "I told you so" is the opposite of constructive. If you feel that it is constructive, I suggest that you re-evaluate your methods for dealing with other people.
  - dredmorbius 12y ago
    I usually avoid such comments, but: the only person in this thread criticizing Stallman is you. Did he tell you your dog was ugly once or something?
dredmorbius 12y ago
I certainly am not claiming infallability. But in a corner of the world where predictions are a dime a gross, Stallman's made many, and his record of hits is considerable. Adding to his credibility and significance are the fact that: ⚫ He's not commercially vested in his predictions. Unlike virtually everyone else in the space, whose "technology forecaster" title is followed by some company name. ⚫ His logic is Talmudic in its rigor. If Stallman has a position on something, it's virtually always because he's thought it through very thoroughly. Even if you don't agree with the conclusions (or if it turns out he was wrong), you're almost always better off knowing why he came to that conclusion. ⚫ He gores sacred cows. Much of the antipathy toward Stallman comes from those whose business model he's just invalidated. Or worse, proven to be utterly and completely socially and morally indefensible.