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Comment by klagermkii | Hacker News Reader

On the subject of Linus, I wonder if he feels the same way about kernel discussions or if he is less at risk of this kind of burnout?

Does being more empathetic when dealing with contributors and their suggestions extract a greater price on one's emotional state, compared to the more brash approach Linus has?

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You nail it, I think. Being nice to contributors leads to bullying. Contributors assume, then feel entitled, and it gets harder and harder to say 'no' -- and it's probably very taxing.

Linus shoots first, that keeps the bullying down -- of course everyone else thinks he is the bully, however he's just protecting himself. I've spent many years victim of bullying, and I know that the only way to beat a bully is to out-bully him.

I think Linus's main point is that if he seems happy about something he's actually uncomfortable with, developers can sink a lot of work into something he ultimately doesn't like and doesn't want in the kernel. So the aggressive approach is to stave off that outcome, which is fair. I suspect he also enjoys it - which is also fair enough.

A lot of people actively enjoy and seek conflict.

I think with Linus' "my way or the highway", at least some of it comes from early upbringing. His dad ran for president (unsuccessfully) in Finland recently - intelligent, likeable but very opionated guy.

Think apple did not fall too far from the tree :)

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