Stefano Zacchiroli @zacchiro@mastodon.xyz

This is, at no level, an acceptable approach to dealing with any sort of public disagreement. And I will never condone or participate in any such approach.

@zacchiro Just as importantly, I think that article does a good job of keeping focus on behavior and actions. Other critiques often slipped quickly between the list of objectionable actions and labelling RMS as person (if somebody "does" bad vs somebody "is" bad), which I think is rhetorically dangerous. i.e., once someone "is" bad, nothing they can do can restore them. When in reality, he could have changed his behavior, but he didn't. It feels less satisfying, but it's provable.

I just published a short blog post adding my voice to the chorus of people speaking out against Richard Stallman's return to the @fsf's board of directors. https://mako.cc/copyrighteous/the-free-software-foundation-and-richard-stallman

It's short so I'll include the full text in a thread below.

FSF staff union elects Ian Kelling to the board https://www.fsf.org/news/welcoming-ian-kelling-to-staff-seat-on-fsfs-board-of-directors

There is a ton more work to be done to restore trust, and there's good reason to remain skeptical about the road ahead, but this seems like a notch in the right direction, at least.

25: Governance, Leadership, and Founder's Syndrome https://fossandcrafts.org/episodes/25-governance-leadership-founders-syndrome.html

What is governance? To what degree are leaders within a governing institution subject to its rules? We use this framework to discuss the unexpected announcement of RMS's re-appointment to the FSF board.

@johns I'll say here what I said on the twitter: you're a good man in a tough spot. You've always had my respect and today you have my sympathy. It's tough to walk away after this much time, after so much devotion. Thank you for everything you've done, all the people you've supported, all you've given.

I have an opinion on leadership in free software.

https://blog.liw.fi/posts/2021/03/29/the_leadership_problem_for_free_software/

John Sullivan is resigning as Free Software Foundation executive director. He has been a driving force for the FSF during many years and the transition will be very challenging. It makes me very sad to see him leave: it was a great pleasure to work with John during these past 10 years. My sympathy also goes to the FSF staff who worked with him on a daily basis.

https://nitter.42l.fr/johns_FSF/status/1376346027524042759

After 18 years with the Free Software Foundation, I've decided to resign my position as executive director, effective at the end of a transition period. We'll be sharing further details, including information about that transition, and a few more words, in the coming days. It's been a humbling honor to serve this institution, and to work alongside the FSF's staff, members, and volunteers over the years. The current staff deserve your full confidence and support -- they certainly have mine.

excellent thread by my excellent former coworker Georgia about the fsf/rms situation

https://twitter.com/georgialyle/status/1374504389155508232