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Linux: Freedom or Freakdom?

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Linux

I was talking with my friend, Jason Perlow, yesterday and he told me that I should back off of the free software rants because he feels that I'm entering the gray edges of freakdom. We laughed about it but it made me think: When does a strong belief in something become extremism? I've had two conversations with Richard Stallman about free software specifically and freedom generally. My conclusion is that there's a fine line between freedom and freakdom. My goal is to find that line and explore its dimensions.

My first conversation with Richard Stallman (RMS) was a tentative discussion, lasting about 18 minutes, about the software and hardware that he uses. He did, in RMS fashion, climb aboard the free software train but I diverted him back to the interview focus as best I could under less than ideal circumstances (He was travelling by car in New Zealand during the interview).

The second conversation we had was about two weeks ago.




Keep up the good 'fight'

Perlow was in the BN IRC channel for a few weeks and I can't figure out why he hates RMS so much. I've been enjoying Ken's recent articles and I hope he keeps up the good 'fight'. RMS is just trying to spread solidarity, yet his detractors try to paint him as this "Dangerous Man" who will shout at you.

peaceful protesters

BTW, I put "fight" in scare quotes because RMS is known for his peace activism. He doesn't really fight. I find it fascinating how when someone 'dares' to criticise mechanisms of control, then that person -- not the controller -- is labeled as "disruption". Same with peaceful protesters.

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