[joshhart]

RMS is an idealist, not a pragmatist. He must believe this is the ideal solution.

Or maybe he's had a change in opinion recently. I have to say, this is the only cogent, practical argument I've heard out of him over the last few years. I really dislike his dogma on the free software issue.

[JamisonM]

You need to provide some evidence for Stallman not being pragmatic. The existence of the LGPL is clear evidence that he is capable of pragmatism. Another example is that he does not get very excited about things like simple calculators being open and free because he does not see that as a practical concern.

He has principles that he tries to live by and advocates strongly but I have never viewed him as an idealist nor do I see much evidence for it.

[philwelch]

RMS is certainly ideological, but he's pragmatic about pursuing that ideology.