Open source -- non computer topics

Sellam Ismail wrote: Let's dispense with the messianic crap. That's going off the rail, right there. It's more like he's the champion of ideas and an architect of a system it's in all our best interests to support, or at least understand. Stallman publishes his reasoning and opinions publicly for all to see. Maybe he doesn't care for the hero mantle (or yoke) that those who constantly psychologize him keep trying to put on his shoulders so they can criticize it. I'd probably run for my life, if I was constantly hounded by people wanting some kind of emotional reassurance, hand-holding, or attention from "the great man." Or I might try to annoy people into leaving me the hell alone if they won't take the time or trouble to do their homework. You may be right that there are more effective or eloquent spokespersons for open source in general. Eric Raymond does come immediately to mind. However, Stallman is clear, logical, and consistent, if idiosyncratic. The FSF doesn't concern itself directly with issues that the EFF, say, would take up, of course, nor should it. If worst comes to worst, though, the GPL may be the last line of defense, and difficult to dislodge without forcibly exposing the stacked deck of cards for what it is, and rubbing people's faces in a truly disgusting mess. No one's ever made a good case to me for ever considering hypocrisy or many other of the political virtues to be appropriate to adjust to in any way whatsoever. Only the reverse. Pretty sure that kind of thinking had a big role in putting my father in an early grave, in fact. YMMV, as they say. jbdigriz