I do think there’s a difference. It’s an established communication rule: criticize the behavior, not the individual. But, I don’t disagree that Linus is an abrasive personality, because he is.
Yes that is a good rule but the problem is he doesn’t just respectfully criticise behaviour, he rudely attacks it. “This code doesn’t meet the standards we require” is ok. “Your code is garbage. Again!” is absolutely not.
Imagine if you said that at work. That’s a trip to HR anywhere I’ve worked.
I agree, but if you look at the specific email linked, it very clearly crosses the line into direct abuse, whereas most of Linus’s rants do exist in a slightly greyer area (even if they’d be grounds for a discussion with HR at an actual company).
I do think there’s a difference. It’s an established communication rule: criticize the behavior, not the individual. But, I don’t disagree that Linus is an abrasive personality, because he is.
Yes that is a good rule but the problem is he doesn’t just respectfully criticise behaviour, he rudely attacks it. “This code doesn’t meet the standards we require” is ok. “Your code is garbage. Again!” is absolutely not.
Imagine if you said that at work. That’s a trip to HR anywhere I’ve worked.
I agree, but if you look at the specific email linked, it very clearly crosses the line into direct abuse, whereas most of Linus’s rants do exist in a slightly greyer area (even if they’d be grounds for a discussion with HR at an actual company).
Completely agree. I guess it’s a perk of being Benevolent(?) Dictator for Life.