Ask HN: Is DHH's constant shouting a marketing tactic?

Yes. It will probably work to his advantage regardless of whether or not Apple comply. There will be general tech press articles being written as we speak about this episode. He creates 2 ways to win with this tactic.

Are you asking me? Sure it could be, what's the problem with it? So many companies start fake outrages, he does it to the detriment of his own name and reputation, that's more honest.

This discussion can probably be held under the many posts concerning the same topic. Insinuating bad faith with the question you are asking seems pretty suggestive to say the least.

It's hard enough to get heard on a 7-8Billion human society to reasonably ask someone to not (shout) about their stuff...

The phrasing of "marketing tactic" would imply that DHH doesn't really care about or believe in the statements he makes…he's just doing it cynically as part of a broader marketing strategy. Anyone who's tracked DHH for a long time, particularly in his role as lead instigator of progress in the core Rails community, knows that's balderdash. His hot-under-the-collar style is legit, and whether you like it or not, it's just who he is.

Frankly, as somebody who despises pragmatism in the web development industry and thinks far more people should take principled stands on a wide variety of issues, I welcome his rants. Sometimes you can't move the needle by simply being "nice".