The Next 50 Years of Emacs (and GNU)

posted by Roy Schestowitz on Oct 29, 2026

GNU's founder made the widely used editor, GNU Emacs

Richard Stallman

Simple software lasts longer. Atomic programs - like bolts or spanners - endure the test/s of time.

Emacs turns 50 (entering its sixth decade) and next weekend Techrights enters its third decade.

RMS is alive and well (in his mid 70s) and Amin Bandali, who writes prolifically about Emacs and GNU, explores "living healthier".

GNU Emacs is not bloated; it has macros. It's good for old/light computers. It avoids unhealthy "features" like "infinite scroll" or chatbots. Being extensible, in the past I installed a Gemini Protocol extension for it.

RMS passed (on) GNU Emacs to people he trusted. Unlike Linux, GNU Emacs didn't turn into s--- (slop). RMS would oppose that.

RMS will be outlived by GNU Emacs, a legacy of his that defines the work/life of many geeks all around the world. █

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