Open source: dangerous to computing education? (opensource.com)

Open source: dangerous to computing education? (opensource.com)

That being said, I don't see how trying to be a bit more polite *with everyone* would be a bad thing.

Well you just not thinking very deeply then. It's very obvious why it _can_ be a bad thing.

One of the good aspects of being negative is that you tend to weed out the people that have a low drive. There is no time in a top-teir kernel developer's professional life to spend time explaining things and coddling along invididuals. If a contributer can't take insults and drops out the first time it happens then it's very unlikely that they have what it takes to actually put forth the time and work that contributing large patches requires.

There is a huge difference on how somebody should behave in someplace like a educational setting versus working in a professional environment or towards strangers in a service-based environment. Personally I enjoy and feel most comfortable in a more informal setting were you don't have to feel like your walking on thin ice. The sort of 'informal' yet 'professional' environment is superior to a polite-based professional environment in many ways. It tends to makes life much easier and communication much more efficient. After all.. friends are people you can vent your anger on. You can't vent your anger on your enemies since they will combat you and you can't vent your anger on strangers since that is impolite.. but friends are people you can fight with and still be friendly afterwards.

Also if you were from a shame-based background you'd understand the motivation that shaming can bring and the desire to bring honor to your group. Also you'd understand that insults are, more often then not, actually praises. Insults are very often attempts to make sure that you do not get arrogant in the face of your successes. People from typical 'european'-style guilt-based cultures often have a very difficult time with that concept. :) Also one of the nice things about kernel development lists is that you do not need to use your real name or real identity. In shame-based cultures as long as the shame can't be traced back to you then it is not shame. It's us westeners that are more likely to crumble and internalize insults as guilt thus lowering our sense of self worth even if we are using a alias.

Of course, Linus can take things too far (as many people do), but unfortunately we are just victims of our own personality deficiencies and a intellegent person should be able to look past the faults and weaknesses of others. Sometimes it's just best to ignore people when they are being morons or abusive.

Just things like s/you are an idiot/I think you are wrong here/ can help a lot.

What if you _are_ being a idiot though? Not, you, right now. But if we are being stupid often the only way we can stop is when other people point it out. I know I am dumb as shit sometimes. It's very helpful when people call me on it (most of the time).