Sometimes Less Publicity is Better (Than Bad Publicity)
RMS in Russia and Russia Today (RT) is judgement that did not age too well. The same is true for going on the Alex Jones televised circus (because of magnitude, regardless of the network's detestable odour).
A lot of people online still (in 2024 and maybe 2025) upload footage of Richard Matthew Stallman (RMS) on channels like RT or creepy platforms of Alex Jones. It's not that RMS acted weird on those channels, it's just the association that's problematic. I always turned down invitations to go on RT and other Russian channels (even before the invasion of Crimea), but I didn't turn down the British or French or Swiss, for instance, especially if those were established channels like national TV.
Some years ago we heard that the FSF had begun 'vetting' what RMS would say in public, in person (do not reply to trolls in E-mail), or where he would appear. He'd make surprise visits/journets to some places (ducking the haters who blackmail event organisers) or try to meet women outside events. He's not a toddler, he's a man in his 70s and he does not need babysitting.
But the bottom line is, sometimes it's OK if we don't hear much about RMS (but from RMS, in his Web site). His Web site was updated some days ago to say "[ No upcoming talks. ]" (nothing in his talks page either). For someone his age, immuno-compromised and battling cancer, that is understandable.
Photo ops (especially with random people you do not know) are a liability, not a trophy. Some proportion of these will age poorly (associating oneself with bad actors). Going on some lousy channel, in desperate pursuit/thirst for an audience that might not even like you, is also a liability. Seeking immediate glory (the "15 minutes of fame" thing or going "viral" in social control media) is like trying to excel in sports by doping. It eventually destroys the body; it's just not sustainable.
Some people try to become famous by murdering people. What sort of accomplishment is this?
Being famous or infamous isn't a good yardstick, as we've just mentioned in relation to Steve Jobs and Dennis Ritchie. If RMS lived a life of principles and will one day die a principled person, that says a lot more than "bank balance at time of death".
RMS has kept a relatively low profile since returning from Peru with more doctorates. He therefore hasn't attracted any noticeably bad attention and the organisation he founded almost 40 years ago successfully enlists many new members/donors this winter. █
