I wanted to send out a note that may help some on this list with a
first-time RMS encounter. Please take this with as much skepticism as
necessary.
It's good to keep in mind that RMS is mildly autistic. I had a few
interactions with the man, all online, and initially thought he was just
being difficult and curmudgeonly. His behavior often comes across as rude.
As a single-pointed Free software advocate he appears to have a lack of
sense of the realities that some people have to deal with (one minor
example is how Open Source vs. Free Software is largely irrelevant to most
of us but one that he has very strong opinions about).
I'm putting this out there because he'll potentially piss you off and sound
like a complete a**hole for asking a well-meaning question. He'll be obtuse
and unclear about what he really means (as has been demonstrated by his
"mischievousness"). But he's a ridiculously smart guy and has (in addition
to mild autism) the disease of the ridiculously smart - a bit of ego which
will not condescend to the unwashed masses.
Interact with the intention to learn and brush off any slights by him. If
you want to learn, be persistent - it doesn't matter if RMS thinks you're
an idiot. Most of the world is an idiot to him (legitimately or otherwise).
I wrote off RMS because of my interactions with him until mutually close
friends explained his behavior to me. I would probably have accepted his
behavior better had someone explained things up front. So hopefully
(perhaps, maybe) this helps someone.
Cheers