We need more of Richard Stallman, not less
ploum.net
We need more of Richard Stallman, not less écrit par Ploum, Lionel Dricot, ingénieur, écrivain de science-fiction, développeur de logiciels libres.

Richard Stallman was right since the very beginning. Every warning, every prophecy realised. And, worst of all, he had the solution since the start. The problem is not Richard Stallman or the Free Software Foundation. The problem is us. The problem is that we didn’t listen.

  • Freesoftwareenjoyer@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    1 year ago

    He wants people to stop using proprietary software and that includes proprietary javascript. That principle is not impossible to follow, since some people do follow it. I run proprietary javascript myself, but that is not a valid criticism of Richard Stallman or the Free Software movement. Freedom requires sacrifices. If you don’t want to do something - that’s up to you. But that doesn’t change the fact that proprietary software is unethical and we should have higher standards as a society. His message doesn’t become incorrect just because we aren’t willing to give up some conveniences. If we all stopped using proprietary javascript, all web apps would have to become Free Software and the problem would be solved.

    • megane-kun@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I am actually agreeing with you, it is not impossible.

      However, given that Javascript is ubiquitous in the internet nowadays, giving it up would mean practically having to forego the “normal internet experience.” Not many people are willing to go that far.

      I am not saying he is wrong. I am saying that there are people like me who, despite not being prepared to go as far as he did, still recognize that he’s right about things.