In an "as told to" article for CIO.com, Linus Torvalds explains how he keeps the Linux people and software on-track. Arguably the most surprising facet of Linus' management style is that he's perfectly willing to flame people when he thinks they're wrong--though he's also happy to be corrected himself. "Part of that, by the way, is not feeling shy about saying impolite things or showing some emotion. So I'd rather flame people for doing stupid things and call them stupid, rather than try to be too polite to the point where people didn't understand how strongly I felt about something." That's particularly interesting in light of several OSCON presenters who believe that the way to grow the open source community is to make projects more welcoming to would-be contributors. Do these attitudes actually contradict one another?
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Member since:2006-01-02
But, you're in different scenarios. If said model girlfriend humiliates you in front of her friends, she is serving no other purpose than to boost her ego.
Te teacher case lacks any useful information to make a judgment on (what, were you a kid that did everything you were told, and never talked back? I wasn't 
).
It's not about being stronger. It's about being right. Linus has the goal of releasing a better kernel. Very stable, very compatible with a wide range of software, very hackable, and so on. If someone like that flames your ass, take what they say and use it.
They have big egos, and thick skins, and that both helped them get where they are, and their experiences only strengthen those personality traits. That doesn't mean they are out to humiliate you. They are out to make the best software they can. I'm sure many Intel employees involved with the creation of ACPI still sleep soundly at night, not worrying that one of Linus' ninjas will kill them in their sleep (yes, Linus Torvalds loves ACPI more than the rest of us).
Member since:2007-07-27
Maybe I am fuzzy. But the point is that IF you are in a stronger position, being right or having higher IQ or whatever - it is no reason to humiliate others. You can be nice still the same. So anyone being right has the right to hurt others? I cant believe you just wrote that. Whats wrong with you Linux guys?
The whole discussion is strange. Linus states that he can somehow magically see which solution is "being right". I react when I hear this. Is he God? (Yes, he believes so apparantely). Strange guy. What he means is "This is my point of view, I believe in this solution - unless you can convince me". And he rephrases that as "I can see the truth. All my design desicions are correct and no errors. I am perfect". But as we all know, Linux has had bad design problems, Linus rewrites big parts everynow and then.
Normally you have to argue for your point of view, and not state "I am the one who is right. Everything revolves around me". That is arrogant, to not listen ot other people, and always "I am right, I am perfect".
But hey, even you admits he is arrogant. But dont mistake it as Linus is being RIGHT. It is only that his point of view weighs more. Not because he is right and perfect. He makes bad desicions also, the Linux code is flawed. He makes bad desicion, how can that occur if he is always right? No, he only has more weight. More power. He is the maintainer. That does not gives him right to humiliate others. He is not magically right.
To state that one is always right, and other people lesser worth, is arrogant. And he is not right, he has made bad desicions earlier.
I cant understand you accepting his statements. If he told you to eat dog shit, you would do that. Cant you think by your selves? Where are your brains? O_o
Linus is trying to justify bullying (adult mobbing) with saying he is "right"? And you approve without thinking critically "hey what is going on here? What did he say? That he is God? He is right?"
Edited 2008-08-09 01:05 UTC
Member since:
2007-07-27
I think you missed my point. If a girl that doesnt like me, is a fashion model and upper class and knows everything about clothes and etiquette, humiliates me in front of her friends, but at the same time tells me the reasons she why never would even talk to me - is it ok because she is knowledgable?
If a child's teacher is very smart and good, and humiliates and offends the child in class - is that ok? Sure, the teacher knows lot but that doesnt give her right to do so.
Seriously. I cant believe what I am hearing. I mean it. Just because someone is knowledgable it is green card to humiliate and shout at people? And you drag in non technical managers into the discussion? Why? We are discussing why it is ok to insult people if you have higher IQ, higher degree or more power, than the other. Not whether the manager is stupid. Stupid or clever, there is not necessary to insult people.
It is like you said something like "well that girl that got raped, were drunk. Therefore it is ok". Is this medieval times? If I am stronger than you, is it ok that I hit you and shout at you?
Seriously. If this behaviour is what Linux supporters approve, then I'm amazed. I hope it is only you guys that think so. And not the rest of the Linux guys.
You can be nice to people. You dont have to be a prick, just because you have the power to do so. (The power in terms of greater knowledge, or higher position, or being a professor in math, or being richer, etc). Only non-empathic people think like that. Just because Linus Torvalds is a prick, you dont have to imitate him.