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Linus and Linux as a political tool (jeferson.me)
submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by to c/technology@lemmy.world
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In my view, all software is political in one way or another. Also, when software makes an attempt to be "politically neutral", in doing so it is making a political point.

So let's pick the Linus questionable part regarding the not a Social Warrior place, and I feel that it is time to either think about it or talk about it.

All feedback is welcomed.

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[–] 7 points 4 days ago (6 children)

I agree with you. The post is a bit lengthy and baselessly suggesting that Linus was bribed to say or not say certain things was not necessary, the premise is correct though.

Humans a re political animals, claiming to be neutral is political. The choice of the social warrior term is also clearly political, whether he realises it or not.

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  • [+] -12 points 4 days ago (5 children)

    Did I stumble on a social media bot farm on this post or something? Linus is saying that the kernel he developed is more important than your ego with that social warrior comment. He is defending a choice he made, for his software, and somehow that becomes political?

    Have you ever even used Linux? Just curious, cause I would like to remind you that it is free. Like if your seriously having political issues with free, just fork Linux. You can have a new Linux, with blackjack and hookers. Like seriously, just fork it and develop it yourself.

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  • [–] [S] 6 points 4 days ago (2 children)

    You are engaging quite a lot in this post kid. A bot farm would use multiple accounts for that.

    [...] Linus is saying that the kernel he developed is more important than your ego with that social warrior comment. [...]

    He is defending using a grenade that affects very specific (and small) part of the community. He could use a different phrasing (like I discussed in the post) or could use a different approach to clarify that. But he choose to use this attack.

    This says something, and this is political. Which is the point of the post.

    [...] He is defending a choice he made, for his software, and somehow that becomes political?

    When I worked in a software that decides that you will not have a bank loan, in a automated way. I as a engineer took a political decision. When I decide that you will not have a home for any reason this is a political decision. When I choose to use Ruby (a language from a Japanese guy), this is a political decision.

    You either see the political implication or is yet to see it.

    This is the point of the post. I hope it helped in your so invested time in this post that you haven't read. But is so eager to comment.

    Have you ever even used Linux? Just curious, [...]

    Dude, this is your argument? Really? You can do better. Ask your mechanical parrot of preference for a better argument :D

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  • [+] -6 points 4 days ago (1 child)

    Good God, your such an edgy 17 year old. What political implications? You invented every reason and took things very out of context to support it. Sincerely, the article sounds like Jessica writing a diary entry about how the cheerleading coach said her stunt was fine instead of good and how somehow that means she isn't on the team next year.

    And how is the programming language you choose to use a political statement? Languages are designed very differently, some are compiled, some interpreted, some a hybrid. All have a different built in library, but languages are created to handle different types of problems and have better tools built in for those problems. Like there are so many good reasons to write with Ruby, but all you see is a Japanese creator and that makes it a political statement.

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  • [–] 6 points 4 days ago*

    And how is the programming language you choose to use a political statement?

    Consider the following as one example:

    Most programming languages are english-centric and even the ones that support unicode for defining variables and method statements might not support right to left languages. Then there are different numeric systems that are culturally based. These technical decisions have a social impact that makes it more difficult for other cultures to interact with the codebase by increasing the barrier of entry. Does this mean i stop writing code in python or Javascript for work? No, because that would be too difficult and high of a cost. But i don't deny the social and political impact of these decisions.

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  • [–] 5 points 4 days ago (1 child)

    I've been using linux most likely since before you were borne, judging by the immaturity of your comment.

    What does his comment have to do with mine or anyone's ego? How would forking Linux make his statement less political?

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