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Linux CoC Announces Decision Following Recent Bcachefs Drama
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this post was submitted on 23 Nov 2024
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Yeah, I wonder about this.
There's being blunt, and there's abuse. Linus attacks code, not people. Maybe it's seems like a distinction without a difference, but Linus would say "stop submitting stupid patches," instead of "stop being stupid." Or maybe, "the quality of your patch is dumb" versus "you're dumb." But, I don't follow the LKML so maybe he does ad hominem attacks.
I do know he's mellowed over the years and the CoC was introduced after his daughter called him out about abusive behavior, and he seems to have listened to her. So you may be right: if the CoC had been introduced 20 years ago, maybe he'd have already been kicked out.
My final thought is that there's a bit of "rules for thee, not me." Linux can probably now survive without Linus, but he's still a guiding force and probably the foremost authority on the core kernel, and I have a hard time imagining his lieutenants kicking him out.
If I say "your code is garbage" would you really say I'm not attacking you? I don't think most people would accept that. The CoC mentions being welcoming, inclusive, respectful, empathetic, not insulting or attacking people or being unprofessional. Linus violates all of those! Of the 10 bullet points there he violates 6 of them!!
IMO this is a big issue with CoCs. They give cowardly justification for arbitrary dictatorial actions. It's much better to admit that it's a dictatorship.
I agree with the rest of your comment - it's clearly worth putting up with his arseholery given how important to the project he is.
I do think there's a difference. It's an established communication rule: criticize the behavior, not the individual. But, I don't disagree that Linus is an abrasive personality, because he is.
Yes that is a good rule but the problem is he doesn't just respectfully criticise behaviour, he rudely attacks it. "This code doesn't meet the standards we require" is ok. "Your code is garbage. Again!" is absolutely not.
Imagine if you said that at work. That's a trip to HR anywhere I've worked.
I agree, but if you look at the specific email linked, it very clearly crosses the line into direct abuse, whereas most of Linus's rants do exist in a slightly greyer area (even if they'd be grounds for a discussion with HR at an actual company).
Completely agree. I guess it's a perk of being Benevolent(?) Dictator for Life.