Post 9msZkXRFuhQwRAZ49Q by trashHeap@fosstodon.org
 (DIR) More posts by trashHeap@fosstodon.org
 (DIR) Post #9msZkXRFuhQwRAZ49Q by trashHeap@fosstodon.org
       2019-09-13T12:04:34Z
       
       0 likes, 2 repeats
       
       Well Richard Stallman, founder of free software and the GNU project is going around defending MIT professors who participating the Epstein sex assault ring; from student protestors. I think it's important when people, even leaders in your community do this sort of thing; that they are criticized. Honestly, it pains me to say it, but free software has to be bigger than richard stallmen. Its time, probably past time for him to step down.https://medium.com/@selamie/remove-richard-stallman-fec6ec210794
       
 (DIR) Post #9msbPJDlmKmEAZGGmm by codesections@fosstodon.org
       2019-09-13T12:26:17Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @trashHeap Thank you for posting about this in a thoughtful, nuanced way.  I've seen several Hot Takes on both sides of this, and I know it's an area where passions can run high—especially because the linked article is powerfully written.Without stating a position on the underlying issue, I'll say that I'm glad Fostodon remains a place where even controversial issues can be discussed productively
       
 (DIR) Post #9msbgdUvdwedynY8dk by tomasino@mastodon.sdf.org
       2019-09-13T12:23:57Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       @trashHeap he's been on the wrong side of sexual issues for his entire career. He's defended paedophilia in the past.It's important to remember that being a leader in one area, even a visionary, doesn't mean you're not an absolute idiot in others. He should be criticized for this freely and will hopefully learn from it.
       
 (DIR) Post #9msfPPpXbahoU5EdDU by trashHeap@fosstodon.org
       2019-09-13T12:28:54Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @tomasino I've known the former for some time honestly. His political notes on that have always been close to disturbing if not actually disturbing honestly.I feel ashamed for giving him so much of a pass, personally on that claptrap now.The problem with this, is the message it sends to the community. It would be OK if he was an idiot on say music, or art-history. But this speaks to and echoes pains that volunteers in his own community have to grapple with.
       
 (DIR) Post #9msfPQASLpR5Wx1Koi by tomasino@mastodon.sdf.org
       2019-09-13T12:35:05Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @trashHeap the danger in this is that people will want to hurt him in return for the hurt his words cause. How do you hurt RMS? You try to take away his position of authority. How do you do that? By pressuring the FSF. How do you do that? Calls for boycott and financial withdrawal. Scare them with capitalism.Will it work, probably. But the path to hurting this man also hurts an organization that does good.1/2
       
 (DIR) Post #9msfPQL5iHwW3vzpOS by tomasino@mastodon.sdf.org
       2019-09-13T12:38:13Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @trashHeap Do we justify it to ourselves by saying that the FSF defends him? Now they're okay to target? For many people that's exactly what will come.I don't have an alternative. RMS should have been reprimanded for damaging statements in the past, but his celebrity has protected him. I just wish there was a better way for us to deal with these situations that didn't cause collateral harm.2/2