Nothing new, but I'm disappointed.
Many years ago, Linux represented the alternative. The question was: "Why don't you just use Windows? It's easier." And the answer was, almost always: "To be free."
The "bazaar" spirit of Linux and its distributions made us feel free. Personally, I've always thought that the "cathedral" approach of the BSDs produces more reliable and maintainable results. But that feeling of freedom was fantastic.
There wasn't a company deciding everything. There was a kernel developed by people following what they believed was right. Or what the community, in one way or another, was asking for.
Torvalds has always been quite outspoken (remember the middle finger to Nvidia?). But the general spirit was, again, freedom. Anyone, sitting in their bedroom, could contribute in some way. Even me.
Today, after the embrace of AI, I read statements about wanting only "serious" contributors, "serious" contributions, because the world depends on this code and reliability must come first.
I understand the problem. Maintaining the Linux kernel is a huge responsibility. And low-quality contributions, especially those blindly generated with AI, are a real problem.
But what I hear, between the lines, is something like: "Hey, kid in your bedroom. If you don't have the right tools, the money to afford them, or the experience we expect, maybe your contribution isn't even worth considering."
Am I exaggerating? Maybe. But this is what I got from the tone and content of the latest public statements.
And it makes me sad.
Because it feels like a transformation towards what we wanted to escape, back then.
So please don't ask me why the BSD community, imperfect as it is, feels like home to me.
When I see young people, with limited resources, being able to contribute and attend conferences (thanks to the support of the Foundations), and I see the enthusiasm in their eyes, I feel at home.
Because I still remember what it meant to be that kid in a bedroom.
And I really hope we never close the door in their face.
