That, rather than insults, should be the Free Software Foundation’s approach. Don’t argue that Bill Gates was unethical for promoting proprietary software. Argue that he would have better served Microsoft shareholders (that was his job) by building and promoting open ones instead, because proprietary software is a bad idea. Raise awareness for your cause, but do it without vilification.

The problem is, Stallman clearly can’t win that argument. It’s hard to argue that the man who was the world’s richest for decades could have somehow done better for himself or his shareholders, or the world at large.

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