what does Richard Stallman live on?

newbiesforever · 10-31-2009, 09:29 PM

Since, according to Wikipedia, Richard Stallman's research affiliate position at MIT is unpaid, how does he survive? He says he lives cheaply like a student, but I don't see any information on where he gets any money. Does he pay himself a salary from the Free Software Foundation, which he founded? (Since he seems principled, I would guess that he doesn't; but I don't know how else he would eat.)

Schrambo · 10-31-2009, 09:54 PM

He definitely is a man of mystery and as you said he lives a minimalist life. I remember a mate telling me a story how he used to live in his works office for a period of time as he did not like the idea of material things that can hold him down from doing whatever he wishes to.

Besides that I have no idea. Perhaps send the man an email and see what he replies with.

newbiesforever · 10-31-2009, 10:46 PM

I'd be interested in e-mailing him not so much to have my question answered as to see whether he would deign to answer. I know he's not a rich man, but with his stature in the Linux world, he might be at least as arrogant as some of my professors. Every now and then, one of them would ignore my attempts to contact them (sometimes during a semester, sometimes later).

XavierP · 11-01-2009, 07:14 AM

Moved: This thread is more suitable in General (remember Linux != Gnu) and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.

XavierP · 11-01-2009, 07:14 AM

With all his speaking engagements, I would imagine he lives a lot of the time in hotels.

H_TeXMeX_H · 11-01-2009, 08:08 AM

the answer is: Twinkies, Chinese takeout, a few trips down to the supermarket for free samples ...

brianL · 11-01-2009, 08:25 AM

He's a Saint, God feeds him.

newbiesforever · 11-01-2009, 12:24 PM

I don't know. I appreciate his accomplishments, but I tend to laugh at him...

schneidz · 11-01-2009, 03:14 PM

he does talks and he writes books (i went to see him speak at my alma mater once).

this should grant him a decent salary.

(should his irs-1040 form be open source ?)

newbiesforever · 11-01-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schneidz

he does talks and he writes books (i went to see him speak at my alma mater once).

this should grant him a decent salary.

(should his irs-1040 form be open source ?)

I don't think he would want it to be. The Wikipedia article says he refuses to carry a cellular telephone or use a keycard, because he fears invasion of privacy.

entz · 11-01-2009, 06:36 PM

Well maybe his parents pay his living LOL

newbiesforever · 11-01-2009, 09:50 PM

If he's from the hacker subculture of university students, it seems possible.

smeezekitty · 11-01-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbiesforever

I don't think he would want it to be. The Wikipedia article says he refuses to carry a cellular telephone or use a keycard, because he fears invasion of privacy.

LOL paranoid LOL.

long Richard_crazy_Stallmans_money = ((void *)0)