you have to trust him, as the author of emacs and gcc, if you use them. admittedly, they are foss software, but have you (or anyone) ever trawled thru either for loopholes? i know i haven't.

rms seemed as every bit the fanatic and extremist, but I knew, even entering college in 1989, that software (and hardware) freedom was endangered, and needed us to take extraordinary steps to preserve and expand it.

I deeply appreciate his work as the founder of the free software movement. Digital goods can be replicated for no cost, and this, combined with the spirit of free software really made for something special.