Many kernel developers are not OK with it. But what alternative do we have? No one person, or dozen people, could improve the development culture around the Linux kernel when various maintainers don't want it to change. Sarah has done more than anyone else I can think of to improve that culture, and I have more respect for her than any ten kernel developers who only know how to hack on code and not on culture. And while the kernel culture remains far from decent, it has improved somewhat, if only through the inclusion of many more people who don't find the current culture acceptable.

I'm a kernel developer. I find the current kernel development culture toxic and draining to deal with; many other communities are much more fun to work in, and I feel energized working in those communities rather than in the kernel. I put up with it because I want to affect the direction of the kernel as well as the culture of the kernel, and because the main long-term way to affect either of those is from within that culture. I also help mentor people who want to join the kernel community. I can only hope that enough people with similar feelings participate in the community and rise to prominent roles within it, which will help change the culture for the better.

I would also point out that, in addition to the people directly perpetuating this kind of toxic culture (both the massive attacks and the "background radiation"), such a culture also thrives on a large body of people who don't think it's a problem, or who chuckle at quotes of the latest nastiness. Just look at this comment page and you'll find several comments demonstrating what makes this culture hard to change.