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We need more of Richard Stallman's ideas, not less (ploum.net)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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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.

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[–] Freesoftwareenjoyer 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

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 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

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 such things.

[–] Freesoftwareenjoyer 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

For most people Free Software is probably a journey. You can improve your freedom gradually by slowly removing more and more proprietary software. The goal is to have as much freedom as possible. Javascript is at least sandboxed, so it won't be able to do you as much harm as a regular program. I can't stop using it either for now, but that's the only proprietary software I use. Most people aren't even willing to install a free operating system though.

[–] megane_kun 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

For most people Free Software is probably a journey. You can improve your freedom gradually by slowly removing more and more proprietary software. The goal is to have as much freedom as possible.

Yeah. This is what I've been trying getting at when I said “are seen as aspirational ideals rather than calls for [immediate] action.”

It is not that what he said (especially about Free Software) is wrong, it's just that it's so far from some people's "normal" that for some, it might as well be a lifetime's journey to get there, if at all.

Is it a journey worth embarking on?‌‌ Yes. Is it a journey that sometimes requires a lot from people? Also yes.

[–] Freesoftwareenjoyer 2 points 1 year ago

But I think it's worth it if we want to have a better future.