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this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2023
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Yeah, I agree. Stallman's philosophy has some obvious blind spots (e.g. usability) but a number of his values continue to be proven correct as technology keeps advancing.
Yes! For example, his "no javascript please" stance, which is unfortunately nearly impossible to follow if you're to have any semblance of normalcy in browsing the internet, I take as an "ideal to aspire for". If anything, his warnings against Javascript reminds me to be ever mindful of the code I invite to run in my machine.
He wants people to stop using proprietary software and that includes proprietary javascript. That principle is not impossible to follow, since some people do follow it. I run proprietary javascript myself, but that is not a valid criticism of Richard Stallman or the Free Software movement. Freedom requires sacrifices. If you don't want to do something - that's up to you. But that doesn't change the fact that proprietary software is unethical and we should have higher standards as a society. His message doesn't become incorrect just because we aren't willing to give up some conveniences. If we all stopped using proprietary javascript, all web apps would have to become Free Software and the problem would be solved.
I am actually agreeing with you, it is not impossible.
However, given that Javascript is ubiquitous in the internet nowadays, giving it up would mean practically having to forego the "normal internet experience." Not many people are willing to go that far.
I am not saying he is wrong. I am saying that there are people like me who, despite not being prepared to go as far as he did, still recognize that he's right about such things.