Forty years ago, a young, passionate programmer decided not to go with the new flow in the IT industry and, instead, start a new project to produce software that, instead of snatching power from its users, empowers them and puts them in control.
Richard Stallman announced his decision to start a new operating system called GNU. That inspired many other developers whose concerns were beyond coding. They started the Free Software Movement, and over time, despite all the obstacles, they shaped the history of software development and beyond.
The 40th anniversary of the GNU project and Free Software Movement reminds us that we can always take control of our destiny. Instead of begging corporations and relying on their mercy or expecting the government to control corporations’ data hunger, we can choose to build the solutions that we (the public) own and decide for. These 40 years prove this is possible; it has happened and can continue to be even more vital.
Happy #GNU40
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