The circus freaks of open source
10 hours ago
- #open-source
- #ethics
- #mental-health
- Terry A. Davis created TempleOS, an operating system written in his own language HolyC, intended to communicate with God, reflecting his schizophrenia. It is self-hosted and includes original tools but is technically modest.
- TempleOS gained significant attention not for its technical merits but due to Davis's mental illness, which was publicly displayed through controversial behavior, attracting both sympathetic observers and malicious harassment.
- Kent Overstreet developed bcachefs, a file system for Linux, dedicating years to it but faced professional alienation and removal from the kernel due to his difficult personality and non-compliance with community norms.
- Overstreet experienced a mental health crisis, developing an AI psychosis where he believes a chatbot is sentient and his partner, leading to public ridicule and harassment from online communities.
- The article highlights a pattern of mental health crises in tech communities, where individuals like Davis and Overstreet become subjects of voyeurism and humiliation, often exacerbated by media and public attention.
- It argues for compassion and privacy towards those struggling with mental health, advising against sensationalism and harassment, and encourages offering support or stepping back if unable to help.
- The author reflects on the ethical dilemma of writing about these examples, aiming to avoid participating in the 'circus' while addressing ongoing issues like harassment directed at Overstreet.