[danso]

As in other controversial Linus-rants, I feel that, sure, some of his phrasing is gratuitous, but I prefer his brutal and thorough critiques to the way that some maintainers shut down issues with a smug and glib one-line statement. I didn't read the entire thread, just the single message in question, so I don't know if there's been a buildup (I mean, besides the many years Linus has spent as a developer) to this blowup. And I don't follow the mailing list so I don't know if Linus is half-jokingly playing into his pigeonhole of a reputation.

But I do respect that a developer who has created incalculable good for the world and is established enough to quit and live happily on a tropical island still gives a shit enough about things like readability to be irate about it, and to take the time to type out a "sweary" essay of examples and elaboration. Someone has to care, and I'm glad it's someone of his stature. I know I'm making an appeal to authority, but I tolerate a sweary rant from someone like Linus differently than from a middle manager who wants to be cock of the walk in office politics.