It was quite common for the Linux kernel to panic, 15 years or so ago. I bet that even now it is much easier to make Linux panic than Darwin. HN became way too passive-aggressive in recent years... :(
I run a Linux kernel 'tainted' with binary modules on my desktop and I don't remember the last time I saw a kernel panic. Maybe a couple of years ago when I ran the nVidia proprietary drivers along the generic framebuffer even though the documentation advised against it.