I wrote the article; it was motivated by reading the book, which to my estimation is not well aimed for either academics or practitioners. That's a problem across a big chunk of academia right now, and I hear it not just from industry who would like to have people more prepared coming out of college, but from masters students who realize that they're not learning what they want to be good.

So in no way was it meant to be a strawman around a "hey, learn about the futex!" post (as evidenced by other complaints at the end of things lacking). The fact is, I was disappointed enough with the book, that I put aside another post I was writing for it.

But as for Phil, we did work together several years ago, and he reads my stuff. I didn't just start writing, and have never had problems finding an audience in the past, Phil or not.