Here is the post in the context of the original thread http://lkml.indiana.edu/hypermail/linux/kernel/0008.2/0240.h.... There doesn't seem to be a reply from Linus.
git didn't come along until Bitkeeper withdrew their support, after a prolonged series of arguments with kernel developers mad about a private company owning the code repository.
I guess I'm saying you should give credit to Larry McVoy for showing the way.
"On the whole, people tend to _want_ to share, because it ends up being the easier "quick hack" in many cases. So I'm not worried about that part overmuch. I'm worried about people who share even when it doesn't make sense. And I'm worried about people having bad interfaces, which makes even sensible sharing end up as a experiment in horror.
That's why I'm so un-interested in the "let's share" argument. I don't think that is where the problems are. "