I can't think of a better illustration of the fundamentally selfish, libertarian foundation of the free software movement than a GNU maintainer loudly affirming that contributions known to be produced by slave labor are welcome without reservation https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/emacs-devel/2026-11/msg00128.html
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@alexandra Cripes. At $dayjob we have to declare to some of our biggest customers that our suppliers take no part in modern slavery. If GNU doubles down on this, we won’t be able to use their software and keep those customers.
@alexandra I am amazed when I see one of these replies in the context of what we could consider as "historical free software", like stuff that was there right from day one. Because even if you take away all the moral, ethical and environmental reservations one could have - which they totally are - these things are still closed-source, paid-for black box pieces of software. They should be anathema to them. Even to the most rabidly anti-social libertarian. And yet the lure of the bot is too strong and they're willing to compromise even on the only thing they haven't compromised before.
@alexandra You are trying to enrage people over a hypothetical scenario, a thought experiment about principles. By branding the entire movement 'selfish' you are insulting people who selflessly donate their intellectual property to be used by anyone. It's not just offensive, it's nonsense. You spread misery and division. This is your contribution to open source software. And despite your engagement in bad faith, no one is denying you the opportunity to use the software or contribute to it.
@microkernel_salad @alexandra ew, why are you following me
The Free Software movement doesn't pursue the goal of "liberty for all
humanity". If you think it does, you are gravely mistaken. Our goals
are different, and are well described elsewhere.
ewwwww maybe it should do that
@sinza @alexandra You couldn't ask for a more concise summary of why the movement has utterly failed. Why the entire world is being crushed under the boot of surveillance tech, and its applications in marketing, propaganda, social manipulation, and weapons systems, while one percent of the computing public plays around with their linux distros like toy trains.
@alexandra First they came for the illustrators, and I did not speak up, because that's out of scope of the Four Freedoms.
Then they came for the translators, and I did not speak up, because the Four Freedoms are politically contentious and we need total unity outside of that.
Then they came for the QA and testing volunteers, and I did not speak up, because honestly they always seemed a bit gay to me, and is that stuff really valuable like code is?
Then they came for me, and I had nobody in the 4F Big Tent with me except other people who watch Asmongold streams. Where's the unity, people?
EDIT: well there's a reply that demonstrates what GNU apologists have to offer in spaces of civil conversation. Blocked lmao
@alexandra @and “Any other answer is a first step towards splitting our community along the many lines of political and ideological divides that have nothing to do with software freedoms.”
Wake up, Eli: the split is already happening, you have no choice except which side to stand on.
@alexandra "The Free Software movement doesn't pursue the goal of "liberty for all humanity". If you think it does, you are gravely mistaken. Our goals are different, and are well described elsewhere."
this is a villain speech
@alexandra@digipres.club That thread is frightening. So many other corners of the FOSS world are bowing down to tech fascism as if they have to though so I am not sure it is surprising.