Bitcoin Expo London - Who wants to go...? Nov 30th 2013
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I may try to attend too Ruthie. Remind near the end of the month.
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[quote name=“imineftc” post=“27844” timestamp=“1378922275”]
from what I read, he wrote emacs right? is he kind of big deal in the Uk kind of like how michael jackson is still a big hit in europe?
[/quote]Among other things.
His most notable contribution (if you ignore HURD, which most people do) is his relentless advocacy for freedom in software and technology, and his strict viewpoint with regards to what that freedom should look like. He’s best described as a cypherpunk-techno-hippie, and he has both advocates who treat his every word as they would a pastor’s preaching the gospel, and a zealot who has “lost touch with the needs of the corporate world”, which is where software and technology have historically seen the most adoption who has done more to discredit his own message with his impassioned rants than any journalist could do.
If he’s giving a talk, you can be assured it will center around intellectual property rights, freedom from commercialism, and the state of “FOSS” and how it has the power to change the world. I have no doubts that cryptocurrency is of great interest to him since it aligns nicely with his world view of freedom from imposed governance.
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[quote name=“Entimp” post=“27853” timestamp=“1378924599”]
I may try to attend too Ruthie. Remind near the end of the month.
[/quote]I’ll keep you posted :)
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Kevlar, thanks for the update on Stallman :)
I would like to think he’d be an interesting listen :)
Also I think the expo sounds interesting wanna go to see what’s happening and make some links :)
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[quote name=“Ruthie” post=“27871” timestamp=“1378930907”]
Kevlar, thanks for the update on Stallman :)I would like to think he’d be an interesting listen :)
Also I think the expo sounds interesting wanna go to see what’s happening and make some links :)
[/quote]Oh no doubt about it, he’ll be interesting. Weather or not your world view entirely aligns with his I make no garuentees, but he is without question a brilliant man and has done this world a great service with his advocacy for freedom in software, say nothing of his contributions in code.
I first met him in person at a BarCamp a number of years back, having read his work and about him for many years prior, and I’ve run into him a few times since then, including interviewing him for a documentary about digital rights management that I helped make. You can’t miss him: Big guy with an enormous beard that covers his chest.
He’s very excitable and has no problem yelling or making a scene in a public setting. I guess you could say he lacks a thought-filter, and isn’t afraid to speak his mind… loudly if you happen to disagree.
If you want to approach him, I suggest first researching his stance on freedom in software because he has no time for idle chit-chat or uninformed questions, but if you approach him with a topic he’s into he’ll spend all the time you’re willing to devote to telling you about it with great passion and gusto.
Just what ever you do, don’t tell him that commercial software is superior to Free/Open Source Software: You will be labeled an enemy of the RMS, and you will never sleep with both eyes shut again. ;D
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Kevlar, thanks for this, If I go Im going to make him my taget meet and I intend to find out everything I can about him, I don’t know much at the moment, but this chap from what little I have heard sounds awesome, and like you said I do not want to make a complete fool of myself, so I’ll spend the next few months reading as much as I can about this chap :)
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I was at an RMS speech years ago. Yes, he’s outspoken and has no tolerance for any questions which could be construed as defending intellectual property rights of software developers. Don’t go there, and you’ll get along with him fine :) Also be sure to say “free software” and never “open source”, and “GNU/Linux”, not “Linux”. :)
I suspect he’s probably a big supporter of cryptocurrencies, as long as they’re [s]open source[/s] free software and distributed.
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[quote name=“catnip” post=“28007” timestamp=“1379025844”]
I was at an RMS speech years ago. Yes, he’s outspoken and has no tolerance for any questions which could be construed as defending intellectual property rights of software developers. Don’t go there, and you’ll get along with him fine :) Also be sure to say “free software” and never “open source”, and “GNU/Linux”, not “Linux”. :)I suspect he’s probably a big supporter of cryptocurrencies, as long as they’re [s]open source[/s] free software and distributed.
[/quote]Some pretty good pro-tips there thanks. I wonder if he will like all my Apple gear :)
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[quote name=“chrisj” post=“28008” timestamp=“1379026876”]
Some pretty good pro-tips there thanks. I wonder if he will like all my Apple gear :)
[/quote]As a general rule, he’s against any software being proprietary or copyrighted. Maybe hardware too. The best way to find out his views on something is to peruse the Free Software Foundation website (fsf.org). Lots of criticism of Apple there.
I shouldn’t sound like I’m down on him - FSF is quite a useful resource, and in fact I am running one of the FSF-approved “GNU/Liinux” distributions, Trisquel. It works like a charm.
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Richard Stallman has done some awesome work and talks a lot of well thought arguments in favour and support of free software. And then I just found out he speaks fluent Spanish as well…
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Thanks for your input everyone :)
Would anyone like to form part of the feathercoin team that attends the expo…? Its free to attend.
Entimp, would be great if you can make it, I still don’t have confirmation for the day off but its likely I will get the day off :)
