@jwz Given the ridiculously stupid things happening in the world now, I had this sinking feeling that it would be for real. But after reading FloofyWolf's full post, I'm fairly certain it is satirical.

(See https://lists.debian.org/debian-legal/2026/03/msg00018.html )

For me #Linux is the last bastion of computing freedom, now that MS and Apple appear to have become largely just #enshittified marketing/surveillance/fee-charging engines. I can certainly imagine a future where Linux (of all flavors) is under all-out assault from the tech-bros.

@freyablekman @Thcoudreau @johncarlosbaez @pluralistic It's surely the case that scholars need to be vocal.

However, it's also related to what the kids call #terminal #capitalism; There's only so many hills you can die on *within* faculty.

If the society at large decides* there is no money for #arXiv, then arXiv will go the way of all #enshittified platforms.

* And it should be obvious that the high-level decision-making process should be questioned, not [only] scholars fighting for #budget.

@SmudgeTheInsultCat

Dear Austin,

You ever tried making a modern-day built-this-century fridge last even half that long? This market got #enshittified years ago.

The Real World.