Software and Politics
jeferson.me
I think we are looking at the wrong part of the mailing list, and the consequences could be very dangerous.

In my view, all software is political in one way or another. Also, when software makes an attempt to be “politically neutral”, in doing so it is making a political point.

So let’s pick the Linus questionable part regarding the not a Social Warrior place, and I feel that it is time to either think about it or talk about it.

All feedback is welcomed.

  • jabjoe@feddit.ukEnglish
    3·
    1 day ago

    Good read, but I would say anything with more than one person is political. Trying to be apolitical is political. Humans are political.

    • Shin@piefed.socialOPEnglish
      2·
      16 hours ago

      That’s why I’m scared of the way the message was sent by Linus. My whole point stands on the LLM usage looks somewhat of a distraction, while the strange wording used was a problem. (On my view)

      Sadly most of people didn’t read, or engaged in a fruitful conversation.

      • jabjoe@feddit.ukEnglish
        3·
        15 hours ago

        He has always claimed this apolitical stance. He hasn’t an issue with closed software. He used bitlocker until it became the problem it was always going to be. He not in it for freedom, just for the benefits of the freedom to him. He is an engineer, not a philosopher.

        Only of course that stance doesn’t add up. What you will, and won’t, work with and on is a political choice.

        If you are willingly fixing the trains at Auschwitz, you are a Nazi engineer, not just an engineer.

        Loads of tech people take the stance they are apolitical, but are they really amoral when the chips are down?

        • Shin@piefed.socialOPEnglish
          2·
          15 hours ago

          If you are willingly fixing the trains at Auschwitz, you are a Nazi engineer, not just an engineer.

          Ouch this hurts. On another comment the analogy with religion made me think about it. I am still pondering about to be honest. And I don’t have a good answer.

          But the moment you take action in favor of detriment of others, this means something.

          • jabjoe@feddit.ukEnglish
            2·
            15 hours ago

            Religion is a whole other thing. Sure, it can direct your moral compass, but you don’t need it to have a moral compass. It can make a bad person act good, but it can also make a good person act bad.

            I agree that in the end, it is all about the effect you actions, or inactions, have on others.