[GoLUG] Mailing list, long term.

[Steve Litt]

On Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:27:20 -0500
Barry Fishman <barry at ecubist.org> wrote:

> On 2025-08-22 03:05:53 -04, Steve Litt wrote:
> > The entire video shows the rudeness of Poettering, who is a mere
> > audience member.
> >
> > Everybody interested in the systemd debate should read the
> > following:
> >
> > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fallacies#Informal_fallacies  
> 
> In particular things like "Appeal to motive".

:-)

Ah yes, my "follow the money" advice. However, digging a little deeper
by following the link for appeal to motive, we get to
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_to_motive . This slightly deeper
dive says the fallacy occurs when the mere possibility, without
evidence, is used in the argument. That's why I've repeatedly pointed
to
https://asay.blogspot.com/2006/10/interview-with-red-hat-cto-brian.html
, which contains the following quote from the then Redhat CEO:

========================================================
"Red Hat's model works because of the complexity of the technology we
work with. An operating platform has a lot of moving parts, and
customers are willing to pay to be insulated from that complexity.

I don't think you can take one finite element - like Apache - and make
a business out of it [using our model]. You need product complexity."
========================================================

Is this proof? No. I wasn't in the various marketing meetings promoting
systemd. But this is a lot more than the "mere possibility" of a
nefarious motive causing the problem.

I think since the Citizens United decision in 2010, we've had a front
row seat showing the value of "follow the money". It's also why we have
a Bureau of Weights and Measures.

SteveT

Steve Litt 
Spring 2023 featured book: Troubleshooting Techniques of the Successful
Technologist http://www.troubleshooters.com/techniques