[ruskerdax]

Proprietary software which restricts its distribution and "unauthorized" modification (virtually all of it) is the very essence of fundamentalism. It relies on a rigid and literal interpretation of what constitutes property (e.g. that the concept of "intellectual property" is coherent and non-contradictory) and even goes so far as to use threats, ultimately backed by violent force, to ensure compliance with this belief. To conclude this blog post decrying the skepticism of proprietary software with "extreme opinions are rarely correct" strikes me as particularly ironic and absurd.

FOSS is the antithesis of this fundamentalism, as it expressly rejects the use of threats to intimidate others into not copying or modifying code. I'm sure there are some people who make sweeping generalizations that may not apply to all proprietary software, but being suspicious of an opposing viewpoint doesn't make one a fundamentalist.

[dpower]

> ultimately backed by violent force, to ensure compliance with this belief

This is true of all laws. This is how society works. If you don't like it, in a democracy you can campaign for change.

You seem to believe you have a fundamental right to copy someone else's works. If the author of those works grants you permission (open source) - then fine. You seem to suggest that people shouldn't profit from their work. I just don't think FOSS software alone is tenable.

[ruskerdax]

> This is true of all laws. This is how society works. If you don't like it, in a democracy you can campaign for change.

I am well aware this is how laws enforced by governments work. It does not necessarily follow that is how society works, or that it must be so. I'd rather stay on topic than turn this into a criticism of democracy, however.

>You seem to believe you have a fundamental right to copy someone else's works. If the author of those works grants you permission (open source) - then fine.

On the contrary, you seem to believe you have a fundamental right to use violent threats to intimidate me into not copying or modifying code.

>You seem to suggest that people shouldn't profit from their work.

I absolutely do not suggest that. There are ways one can profit from software development (or other creative and technical endeavors) that don't involve threatening people with violent force.

>I just don't think FOSS software alone is tenable.

I understand that. At least acknowledge that you are the fundamentalist here, taking the approach that because you don't believe it is "tenable" for software to be free, you think it is pragmatic and therefor acceptable to use violent force to prevent others from copying or modifying code.

[matt4077]

Let’s maybe go easy on throwing around charges of “fundamentalism” every which way. I guess it’s an attempt to tap into the universally bad reputation of Bin Laden et al. But that alone should be reason not to stick the label to anyone who has a github account or a product in the App Store.

It’s really just Godwin by another name.

[ruskerdax]

I don't think this is a misapplication of the term "fundamentalism," as it does fit the textbook definition of the term. The parallel of the term to radical terrorism is unfortunate, however. While I don't think it's really accurate to compare this to Godwin's law, you have a point about things quickly escalating to a state of hyperbole.

[ajhurliman]

Don't you think it's possible to take an ideal too far? Like, beyond the point of pragmatism?

[ruskerdax]

You mean like where you're threatening people over a fundamentally peaceful activity like copying code? Yeah, definitely.