the lesson *I'm* choosing to take from xz, as an oss maintainer, is that anyone trying to pressure or guilt me into doing something should immediately be told no, for security reasons
Thing is, much of what Linus says is respectful; even though it reads harsh. Phrases like “you keep doing this” and “your code is shit” and “I will bar you from committing code until you can get better” and similar stuff, is respectful to the person, as he is still just focusing on the code : the product. Mostly.
Sure it comes off as aggressive ultimatums, but when I worked on New Jersey I saw numerous arguments between passionate coders who really cared about their work and spoke on these loud voices with aggressive gesticulations and gestures, and it was frightening. But, when you took apart the arguments, it was all about “the code” this, and “the standard” that, and very little “you suck” and “you’re dumb”. And, when the argument was settled, these passionate people were still friends.
Of all the people I’ve been yelled at by in my career, the harsh-sounding ones who kept it on the work and not the worker ended up with the most loyalty and trust in the end.
Give me a dozen Linus who care about their work. Sure he’s slipped up a few times, but on balance he’s been very good. Even before the “let’s all hug” sensitivity training.
If you’re rooted enough in your life to just recognize the problem and fix it, yes. But for all the younger, inexperienced people, a sprinkle of compassion and help on top of being strict is a good idea, otherwise some or most of them can’t ever reach that point.
Sure it comes off as aggressive ultimatums, but when I worked on New Jersey I saw numerous arguments between passionate coders who really cared about their work and spoke on these loud voices with aggressive gesticulations and gestures, and it was frightening. But, when you took apart the arguments, it was all about “the code” this, and “the standard” that, and very little “you suck” and “you’re dumb”. And, when the argument was settled, these passionate people were still friends.
I used to work for a guy like that. He was aware of how a lot of people perceived him and was working on it but it never really bothered me when he slipped because like you said it wasn’t a personal attack, he was just trying to make us get the work done to his standards. There were multiple times he would come to me and apologize after we finished something and I was just like “well you were right so I’m not really worried about it”.
In my book, respectfully is something more insulting than “you’re so stupid, how did you survive to suck on your mother’s tit, one would imagine you were too stupid to know what to do with it”.
More people need to operate like Linus Torvalds. Call people on their shit. Respectfully of course.
Shit, sensitivity training works. Please don’t show this to my HR team…
Thing is, much of what Linus says is respectful; even though it reads harsh. Phrases like “you keep doing this” and “your code is shit” and “I will bar you from committing code until you can get better” and similar stuff, is respectful to the person, as he is still just focusing on the code : the product. Mostly.
Sure it comes off as aggressive ultimatums, but when I worked on New Jersey I saw numerous arguments between passionate coders who really cared about their work and spoke on these loud voices with aggressive gesticulations and gestures, and it was frightening. But, when you took apart the arguments, it was all about “the code” this, and “the standard” that, and very little “you suck” and “you’re dumb”. And, when the argument was settled, these passionate people were still friends.
Of all the people I’ve been yelled at by in my career, the harsh-sounding ones who kept it on the work and not the worker ended up with the most loyalty and trust in the end.
Give me a dozen Linus who care about their work. Sure he’s slipped up a few times, but on balance he’s been very good. Even before the “let’s all hug” sensitivity training.
If you’re rooted enough in your life to just recognize the problem and fix it, yes. But for all the younger, inexperienced people, a sprinkle of compassion and help on top of being strict is a good idea, otherwise some or most of them can’t ever reach that point.
I used to work for a guy like that. He was aware of how a lot of people perceived him and was working on it but it never really bothered me when he slipped because like you said it wasn’t a personal attack, he was just trying to make us get the work done to his standards. There were multiple times he would come to me and apologize after we finished something and I was just like “well you were right so I’m not really worried about it”.
Like “Fuck you Nvidia”?
I vote on an exception for big corps. Fuck you nvidia.
I’m more of a fan of responding in kind. Manners may cost nothing, but so does clear communication.
In my book, respectfully is something more insulting than “you’re so stupid, how did you survive to suck on your mother’s tit, one would imagine you were too stupid to know what to do with it”.
Obligatory /s