Here I discuss whether Richard Stallman should resign from the FSF, analyze his leaked emails and past comments, and whether he can make amends.
Youtube: https://youtu.be/GwoXOT4MAdA
Peertube: https://tilvids.com/videos/watch/ed2caf72-1c34-480c-8358-48132290a40f
#opensource #freesoftware #linux #technology #ethics #morality #philosophy #fsf #Stallman
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@geotechland I've read his emails and im just left thinking "make a mends for what".. I'm still utterly confused what the issue is at all.
Rms
@freemo His comments in the email thread is assuming that the sexual assault victim might have presented herself as a willing participant, and says the most plausible scenario is Minsky did not know the girl was underage.
That can be hurtful to the victim and could make other victims of sex trafficking more reluctant to come out due to fear of being doubted.
Also, his past comments on paedophilia indiciate he doesnt see anything wrong with it if the teen is willing.
Rms
>That can be hurtful to the victim and could make other victims of sex trafficking more reluctant to come out due to fear of being doubted.
Under this theory of harm, it seems that the person who leaked the emails, rather than rms is the one who should apologize before being allowed back in polite society. If I’m understanding correctly, rms said his private thought in the context of a private email conversation, and the leaker, by making them public, introduced all of the alleged harms to the person rms was discussing, as well as trafficking victims at large.
How sociopathic would someone have to be to cause all of that harm as mere collateral damage to out rms as a no-no thoughts thinker?
Rms
I know that was tongue in cheek but there is some truth to that....
There is a **huge** difference between considering ideas in private, and making a public statement about your stance.
If what we care about is truly harm, and our goal is not thought policing, then this distinction is paramount.
Rms
@freemo @anonymoose If RMS redeems himself without stepping down, then I am fine with that too. But I think it would be preferable for him to temp step down the same way Linus Torvalds did and changed up the way he communicates.
Rms
Redeem himself for what? His opinions did no harm, and were perfectly reasonable within context.
Rms
@freemo @anonymoose Good points.
I think leaking the email can prevent future harm from RMS and his views so I see the net harm being lower.
I'm not sure if I consider a work email exchange private. Maybe semi-private.
I don't view it as thought policing. I think the free/opensource community socially pressuring one of their own to be better is fine.
My criticism of RMS critics is that they should provide steps RMS can take to redeem himself. I don't believe in canceling in most cases.