04.30.21
Gemini version available ♊︎How to Kill the Brand “Linux”, Associating It With an Attack on Human Rights
Summary: It seems clear that the so-called ‘Linux’ Foundation is just misusing the brand (“Linux”) like an asswipe or a wet tissue; by throwing the label Linux into controversial things that have nothing to do with Linux itself the Foundation basically alienates potential adopters
TODAY an associate sent us this terrible piece from Korean media, reaffirming the Linux Foundation's agenda that's undermining human rights; what does Linux stand for now? Some “vaccine passports”? What’s the connection to Linux?! Notice how this piece from the Korean publisher is referring to the Linux Foundation as just “Linux” (even in the headline!).
As I point out right from the get-go, I’m not against vaccination, but those “passports” are controversial for many legitimate reasons and as we pointed out a month ago, Richard Stallman (RMS) opposes these too, for they pose a threat to liberties, especially if they’re digital. They can necessitate the carrying of electronic surveillance devices (even for something as simple as entering a shop of ordering a cup of tea).
“It’s sad if not frustrating to see class politics and oppression using the name “Linux” even when the area doesn’t relate to operating systems or kernels at all.”A bunch of puff pieces (paid-for fluff sponsored by the Linux Foundation for IBM and Microsoft, to be filed under “innovation” rather than “lobbying” or “advertising”) confirm our suspicions. It basically boils down to a whole lot of buzzwords or hype waves.
Mozilla, a company that nowadays stands for censorship and social control (by oppressive means like deplatforming) is also not particularly impressed by this. A spying proponent, Mozilla, clarified that there’s no need for blockchain hype factor (see the official Mozilla blog, as of 8 days ago) and it seems to boil down to patents, or IBM and Microsoft profits (control over people’s lives is more important to them than the money, as that leads to political entanglements that may render them “too big to fail” and hence worthy of bailouts from taxpayers, which is why they also seek to control medical records).
It’s sad if not downright frustrating to see class politics and oppression using the name “Linux” even when the area doesn’t relate to operating systems or kernels at all.
What is the ‘Linux’ Foundation turning this trademark into?!?!
“Regarding vaccine passports,” Ryan said in IRC just a few moments ago, “we’re not going anywhere that needs one even though we’re both vaccinated. I’m extremely skeptical of the societal implications of this. For starters, closed-source software or not, and it will be, what do you store it on? A smart phone? This pressures people to get smart phones even if they otherwise have no need of them or can’t afford one. What do older people who haven’t ever used one because they can’t think of a need for it do? Go buy one and jack up Apple’s share prices just so they can show some restaurant a “passport” to get a breakfast sandwich?” █
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