Yeah, yeah, I know. Linus Torvalds basically created the Linux kernel. Without him, half the internet wouldn’t exist. He also made Git, which we all use every damn day. The guy’s a genius. No argument there.
BUT being brilliant doesn’t give you a free pass to be a complete ass to other people. The man has a long track record of flaming developers, swearing at contributors, and just generally acting like he’s the only person in the room who matters.
Like remember when he told someone “SHUT THE F*** UP” in a mailing list because they disagreed with him? Or how he used to proudly say he didn’t believe in being “polite or politically correct” because “his culture involves cursing”?
Bro, that’s not culture. That’s just being rude.
Each time I watch clipping of his interviews just give me the ick!
There’s something about him that makes him super unlike-able for me.
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There’s something about him that makes him super like-able for me.
He’s doing his thing, he’s the best in it, he doesn’t take any crap. He stands out of the crowd of toxically cheerful people.
Thanks for explaining who this person is or I would have been lost. On with my day now.
He’s also just Finnish. So like.. Anyways, we done here?
And so he reads this says “Okay” and continues on his way, at least you’ve had your say?
Tbh he being jerk is one of the big reason we don’t have purely chaotic linux Kernel.
But as he aged he has been much calmer than he used to be.
Also it’s not really an unpopular opinion because many people including himself have same opinion.
Kind of? Even he himself says that he is a massive jerk. That’s not an unpopular opinion, just a fact.
Honestly.. I’ve encountered enough unskilled hires that only got there because of a friend or because they are salesmen, that act the same way that if this man, with decisive skills and vision and a creation that changed the world, wants to act this way.. then so be it.
Visit Finland!
Just watched an interview, he seems like a normal guy. Everyone has their moments I guess.
As a C++ developer I find his thoughts and comments on C++ devs hilarious.
I’ve known a lot of people less skilled than him who were just as arrogant and unpleasant. It just comes with the territory. At least he’s earned it.
I admire it honestly. Most of the time I strive for this kind of candor and do my best work with people who can cope in that kind of situation.
Years ago I remember seeing a documentary on Torvalds where he said something like, “by the time I was 13 I already knew I was the best programmer in the world….”
🤣
Had it been anybody else…
Agree. I got an even more unpopular take:
People giving him a pass cuz he’s their favorite programming figure is not unlike Chris Brown fans giving him a pass for being shitty cuz he’s a famous celebrity.
The same people who are “disgusted” by CB fans completely stan people like Torvalds or Musk or whomever, and those people don’t realize they’re really no more enlightened than the average pop music listener.
You’ll never get anyone to admit that though, bunch of egos in tech. I guess everyone telling you that’s smarter than everyone else in 5th grade can really get to your head.
I think this should be measured by when he is WRONG. He has some takes, but they are based.
Terry, is that you?