Linus Torvalds explodes again. Yawn.

So Linus Torvalds, the founder and leader of Linux, has had one of his now increasingly frequent temper tantrums. Someone from RedHat asked for Mr Torvalds' approval for a  change to the kernel (the central bit of Linux) that makes it possible to run Linux on a Windows 8-certified computer. Mr Torvalds "exploded (quite rightly)".

In what can only be described as the height of mature and constructive criticism, Linus Torvalds replied to the request thusly:

Guys, this is not a dick-sucking contest. If you want to parse PE binaries, go right ahead.

If Red Hat wants to deep-throat Microsoft, that's *your* issue.  That has nothing what-so-ever to do with the kernel I maintain. [...]

Okay, it's more of a playground insult, the sort of thing you drunkenly shout at someone across a bar where the homophobic implications are applauded. The thing that annoyed me was the writer of the article over on the Muktware blog, Swapnil Bhartiya, ignored the sexual insults while approving of Mr Torvalds temper tantrum.

Anyway, I left a comment. But it seems that Muktware has a new comment policy, wherein:

We are experimenting with editor picked 'user comments'. If your comment contributes to the story we will add your comment to the story, with attribution. 

I don't think my comment would reach their standard, and having some experience with such censorship, I'm also publishing it here. :-)

"Which made Linus to explode (quite rightly).", hmm? Aside of the obvious grammatical problems, what is it that makes it "quite right" for Linus Torvalds to explode at someone doing what they think is right, or at the very least pragmatic? 

Frankly, it seems that Mr Torvalds "explodes" on a regular basis and the kernel group, as it were, simply accepts it, perhaps reveling in his attentions? Or should that be "His attentions"? When did sexual insult become acceptable? Why is "quite right" for Linus Torvalds to "explode" with immature sexual insult? With something that seem to be getting very close to, if not actually being an homophobic insult? Would it be acceptable for someone to blow up at Mr Torvalds and tell him to go suck a dick? Would Mr Torvalds accept as good as he gives? I have never seen any indication, in the 20 or so years I've followed Linux development that he does take it as he dishes it. 

The increasing number of temper tantrums the man has, the ever-more-frequent rants Mr Torvalds spews might be newsworthy, but perhaps sexual insult shouldn't be applauded or encouraged? Mr Torvalds left the schoolyard a long time ago; it's clearly obvious the schoolyard hasn't left him. As for applauding such insults, all I can say is: shame on you.

We'll see what happens. All I can say is that if Linus Torvalds keeps having these silly temper tantrums and issuing these inane rants, he's going to be short a few kernel volunteers. Most people don't like to abused in such a way, and with the arbitrariness of the rants - I'm not sure anyone would want to subject themselves to them. Microsoft might not be Linux's Greatest Enemy [sic], after all.

Carolyn Ann

I'm going to document some of the replies here. :-)
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I've received, in a few minutes: "Cut the politically correct crap, lady", and from a GreddyTaylor: "Men speak the way men speak. Not everything has to be couched in passive-agressive touchy-feely shades of truth fem speak. If you can't take it, join a sewing circle and leave men to speak as they do."

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This post is still generating some considerable interest. So here are some more:
Eh, I'll let them wallow in their turpitude
My final comment on the latest Let's Worship Linus Movement
Linux: Where all the cool misogynists hang out
The affects of an amateur braggadocio
There's a reason sexism is rife (& popular) in Linux

Enjoy! :-)

/CA