Dear Linus Torvalds: We are two fans of Linux who really enjoy the operating system you started and the ecosystem that built up around it. We have been using Linux in its various flavors (distros) as our main operating system for years as we wanted an alternative to Windows and macOS that could handle the everyday internet-based tasks that one would expect to be able to do on a modern computer.
We understand that you have had second thoughts about your behavior towards those who contribute to Linux development, especially when critizing code that may not be up to scratch, and we do appreciate you for considering the impact of your behavior. However, we are writing you because we are concerned about several possible implications that the recently introduced Code of Conduct could have on Linux and the ecosystem as a whole. On the surface, the Code of Conduct that was adapted from the Contributor Convenant appears laudable: an expectation of a hassle free enviornment despite any individual contributors' physical and/or social characteristics, examples of positive behaviors that would like to be seen of contributors, and examples of negative behaviors that need to avoided (and we do see that the examples given are often seen in the behavior of those who harass others over the Internet). What we do have issue with is the origins of, the ideology behind, and the behaviors exhibited by those who promulgate this code of conduct as the solution to alleged social ills within the tech community. The ideas expressed in the Contributor Convenant come from Social Justice, which also on the surface appears laudable: the recognition and reparation of past societal wrongs and activism towards ensuring equality for historically oppressed groups. However, we have observed the actual behavior of those who follow Social Justice, often referred to as "Social Justice Warriors" or "SJWs," to be less than sincere. So-called Social Justice Warriors have been observed to show rather hypocritical bullying behavior towards those they disagree with, both online and in real life, while still claiming to be doing laudable activism. Most of the harassing behavior by Social Justice Warriors we have observed is often perpetrated towards those historically considered to be oppressor groups (often not letting the target redeem themselves or recognizing they have disposed of certain "privileges"). But we have also seen that Social Justice Warriors will harass those they claim to champion if they do not wholly and uncritically agree with their beliefs and ideology. The wording of the Code of Conduct, as well as the Contributor Covenant have been observed by posters on various websites as being rather vague and open for abuse by those not above playing victim. Rather more specifically, those so inclined could seemingly choose to take offense at certain remarks or actions (regardless of whether or not the person is actually offended), and then call for the ousting of those they've (chosen to) see as harassers. It has been feared that the Code of Conduct could be used to conduct an ideological takeover of the Linux kernel (and, by extension, the free software ecosystem) by finding dirt on various contributors and using it to oust the rather brillant and technically-minded contributors, thus causing the quality and cybersecurity of the Linux kernel to decline while the community is consumed by political infighting and fragmentation of the Linux ecosystem---perhaps eventually resulting in Linux becoming a shell of its former self. The other reason we are writing you is because the authors of this letter belong to the categories often championed by Social Justice Warriors. One of us is gender non-conforming, while the other is gay. We have watched in shock over the past few years as so-called Social Justice Warriors have become the de-facto representatives of our kinds, often silencing, shaming, and harassing those who are of these characteristics for not agreeing with the now-mainstream Social Justice ideology, all while claiming to be "the good ones" fighting oppression. At least one of us chooses to stay in the closet, not because of the stereotypical conservative, the Christian fire-and-brimstone preacher, or the orthodox Muslim cleric; we have grown afraid of those who claim to be our own kinds. While your decision to reconsider some aspects of your communication style is commendable, we implore you to reconsider the Code of Conduct. Perhaps the document could be modified to address its shortcomings and prevent its abuse, or the document could be rescinded and a more suitable document could be drafted. We do not want to see this wonderful technical achievement, one we utilize everyday for our personal computing needs, become compromised by those with insincere ideological intent. Sincerely, curious and Adele Radul P.S. Please CC all responses to [email protected] and [email protected]
