10.29.19
Gemini version available ♊︎Guest Contribution: Linux Foundation spoke of “quid pro quo” in the context of poor children
Summary: Linux Foundation (LF) publicity stunts wind up disgracing the causes they claim to be serving; an insider’s story revealed what had happened and we explain why that’s a problem which prevails to this date (it’s all about money)
THIS post is anonymous, but some people close to these matters may be able to identify the author (based on recollection of these affairs). That’s fine. Those people may, in fact, very much deserve the scrutiny. More than a decade ago we wrote about the attacks on OLPC (mostly the fault of Microsoft and Intel greed); we did not at the time foresee a group called “Linux” something acting in bad faith to undermine similar projects. Months ago we wrote about the Linux Foundation‘s false claims that it supported diversity. Well, the Foundation likes to lecture us about diversity while pushing purely corporate agenda and totally ignoring inequality. Has anyone checked (recently) the price of attending LF events? Or sponsoring them? Or speaking in them? Or buying tweets? LF very much contributes to inequality. Its events are all about class; its membership fees are like fast lanes and “First Class” access. So without further ado, here’s our anonymous contributor.
This is somewhat private but interesting information… I don’t really know how to tactfully proceed here…
Today, I had lunch with someone who informed me that a few years ago… the Linux Foundation had an event in Canada, where a non-profit that works with underprivileged children was “invited”.
This non-profit attended and the words “quid pro quo” were spoken. Apparently, the LF purchased about 2k worth of laptops for this non-profit in exchange for attendance to this event.
However, the event was not for underprivileged children but the children of well-to-do executives and people high on the ladder at LF?
This is what I heard.
“This non-profit attended and the words “quid pro quo” were spoken. Apparently, the LF purchased about 2k worth of laptops for this non-profit in exchange for attendance to this event.”
–AnonymousThe joke here was “overprivileged” children were served.
The non-profit leader was sick over the entire thing and I hesitate to even disclose this information — except the LF did this… and ultimately, those laptops were used for the greater good but the means by which these were acquired and the method and farce of it all, is important to know…
I don’t know what you can do with this information. I want to help, not injure any organization, especially those that serve underprivileged youth.
However, the Linux Foundation did do this, according to a very good source.
“The joke here was “overprivileged” children were served.”
–AnonymousThe makerspaces were already existing in Canada, the underprivileged youth in the area are able to find resources.
Just on that particular day… the overprivileged children were served, instead of the underprivileged.
The next year, I actually had signed up 2 of my youths to attend a makerspace learning event sponsored by LF.
We’ve had to omit the rest as it might reveal too much about the source, but we’re pretty certain some parties do, at this point, know who the messenger is. And that message is very important for all to see. This is a symptom of a much broader problem. The LF isn’t what it seems and being a PR operation it keeps twisting people’s perceptions. We’re supposed to think they help GNU/Linux, whereas in reality they help whatever sponsors they have, including Microsoft. As recently as yesterday the LF put in “Linux” dot com (Linux.com) yet more Microsoft advocacy.
“As recently as yesterday the LF put in “Linux” dot com (Linux.com) yet more Microsoft advocacy.”Swapnil, the site’s sole editor after all the layoffs, used the site for pushing Microsoft Azure. This is what LF is ‘good’ for these days… promoting Microsoft and surveillance — something which yesterday they doubled down on. Less than half a day ago puff pieces about listening devices and promotion of surveillance inside the homes of people were published at Swapnil’s personal site. These are the people who nowadays run things at “Linux” dot com. Seems fitting; see the list of sponsors of the LF. It’s all about money. Remember that: money! █
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