diff --git a/content/blog/lgm-rms.md b/content/blog/lgm-rms.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d5dabc3 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/blog/lgm-rms.md @@ -0,0 +1,21 @@ +--- +title: "Thoughts on LGM + RMS" +date: 2025-05-06 +draft: false +summary: "I'm attending Libre Graphics Meeting this month, and what a way to influence my experience with the event - before it even starts." +tags: +- Open Source +--- + +I'm attending Libre Graphics Meeting this month, and it's also my first LGM! What a way to [influence my feelings about the event](https://libregraphicsmeeting.org/2025/news/2025-05-06_0002-keynote-announcement-richard-stallman/) before it even starts: + +> On Wednesday, May 28th at 19:30, Dr. Richard Stallman will deliver a keynote on Free/Libre Software and Freedom in the Digital Society at Libre Graphics Meeting. + +Regardless of your feelings about RMS (try to guess mine!) there are some things about the keynote announcement that troubles me. I felt like this was better done on my blog instead of a quippy Mastodon post. + +* **RMS is controversial**, that much is agreed upon (and this is also pointed out by the organizer.) This guy has _two websites_ claiming how "bad"/"good" he is, seriously? +* **RMS is not heavily involved in "Libre Graphics"**. This is _also_ pointed out by the organizer (they sort of toss away that point however.) Fine, it's your event and you can decide who gives a keynote. +* **His presence _is_ driving people away**. Some of my friends are deciding not to go/canceling because of his presence. (That alone should be pretty telling?!) If I didn't book everything already, I would reconsider going myself. +* **The organizer has admitted that they received "a pattern of concerning remarks"**, which _isn't_ a red flag by itself? + +It's certainly _A Choiceâ„¢_ to have the context provided above, and still be like "yeah, this is who I *want* doing a keynote." Certainly there must be more interesting people to pick from in this space? You can bet I'm not going to be around for his keynote.