Despite Many Attacks on the Free Software Foundation (FSF), It's Still a Potent Force
In 2026 GNU turns 43 and the FSF will turn 41. The founder will turn 73 (March 16th). He represents resilient activism and principled stance on what he believes in.
In his personal site's front page he published (in perpetuity pinned there):
The Lifelong Activist
People often ask how I manage to continue devoting myself to progressive activism (such as the free software movement) for years without burning out. The best way I can answer is by recommending a book, The Lifelong Activist by Hillary Rettig.
I disagree with the book on one theoretical point in the last part of the book: we shouldn't think of political activism as being marketing and sales, because those terms refer to business, and politics is something much more important than mere business. However, this doesn't diminish the value of the book's practical advice about borrowing techniques from marketing and sales.
Disclosure: I am friends with the author.
Despite all the backlash, he still expresses political opinions on just about anything and the FSF can still raise money. It'll reach 10% towards goal some time very soon.
Moments ago someone in Reddit (anti-FSF site) said: "I wish I could trust the FSF, but their inability to operate without Richard Stallman is concerning."
How so? The FSF was founded by him and its goal perfectly aligns with its founder's. Nothing wrong with that. █