A Question from your fan !!!

/* This happened when RMS visited my college - Madras Institute Of Technology, Anna University on February 7, 2005. I was invited by my juniors for having lunch along with him. After meeting him, I mailed him seeking something from him. For long, I didnt want to reveal this mail to anyone (I dont know why!!). Perhaps, I think I wanted to treasure it. But now, I have changed my mind. */ 

 Hello Sir, Today I was with you in AUKBC Research Centre, Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University, India and I was having lunch along with you!!! To tell exactly, two guys were standing and talking with you about HCL Technologies (we did the Indian pronounciation!!!). In that one guy was telling about ATM networks (in which he works) and another guy was standing near him hearing your words. That another guy is me, named Sriram. 

That time I was about to ask you a question which I was thinking to ask you from long ago itself. I thought that today was the time to ask you but I didn't ask at that time, as you were too busy talking with ILUGC and FSF people over there. About me : Iam just a simple dude hanging around and benefited (knowledgewise) with Free software ( GNU/Linux, Emacs, GCC and other GNU tools….) for the past 3 years. 

 Now, at this time you will be delivering a speech in IIT Chennai about Software patents. So I think, I can ask you now so that you can leisurely reply me. This question is something more personal about you and your thoughts. I even thought that you may bang me down, if I ask this question in person today. Luckily I didn't :). 

 While you were working in Massachussetts Institute of Technology… At that time only, you started to think that we have no rights or control over the software that we use and this in turn led to the start of GNU… Now forget everything about GNU, FSF blah blah blah. Why didn't you take the other path that time. I mean, the path which everyone else has taken. I mean, striving very hard and earning lots and lots of money. You could have started some software company and "naturally" as you are very good programmer, I believe that u might have created some very good software. If you had sold the software, you could have been one of the richest now. With that money, you may be having lots of fun and frolic in life and by the way you could have led your Free Software Revolution. 

 Don't tell that "I thought of doing for the society alone and so I chose this path." You could have earned and along with that you could have served the world with FSF. But you didn't do like that.You chose a very different path (not to earn much money for self and serving only for the society) which completely contrasts with others' thoughts. What made you to lead a life like this ? and How you are able to do this ? and How you are able to convince yourself with this ??? With this I finish my question. I think you can understand what I think now. Eagerly waiting for your reply !!! Thanks !!!

---------------------------------------------------------  Registered GNU/Linux User #346087 Free(dom) Software - For the people, by the people, to the people. ---------------------------------------------------------

*** Reply from RMS *** 

On Feb 8, 2005 5:16 PM he replied me 

Why didn't you take the other path that time. I mean, the path which everyone has taken. Please don't exaggerate. It is not "everyone". I mean, striving very hard and earning lots and lots of money. I was not interested in having lots of money. I still am not. Why break my back for something that couldn't make me happy? Many people in the US place other values above having lots of money. And many people in India do it too.