[Fsf-friends] Re: DotNet

[KG Kumar]

On Wed, 27 Oct 2004 06:48:28 -0400, Richard Stallman <rms@gnu.org> wrote:
>     Re the request by Microsoft to speak at the Hyderabad usergroup on DotNet,

> Such discussion focuses on the practical characteristics of the
> software, and therefore makes the implicit assertion that, "There is
> no ethical issue with this software, therefore the interesting things
> about it are its technical capabilities and merits/demerits."  We need
> to reject that assumption, and the best way is not to offer them a
> platform at all.

I am not sure that is the "best" way. It is certainly one way -- and,
unfortunately, also one that could easily be labelled bigoted or even
fascist. Another way would be to engage the "enemy" in debate on the
ethical issues involved -- even, if necessary, on their own terms.
Winning an intellectual debate on a platform shared by believers and
non-believers alike would be a far greater morale booster to lovers of
freedom than continuing to preach to the converted.

Let's try! As you yourself have pointed out, "I have done most of my
work while anxious about whether I could do the job, and unsure that
it would be enough to achieve the goal if I did."

-- 
KG Kumar
kgkumar - at - gmail - dot - com