1) only if you truly believe the earth to be flat
2) the earth being a sphere is an objective fact that can be proven by multiple means.
You would either be mistaken if you believed the earth to be flat, or a liar if you didn't.
That also has absolutely nothing to do with your original claim -- that Linus has been "dishonest" because his opinions about technical matters discussed on LKML aren't objective. There is a fundamental difference between stating a fact ("the earth is a sphere") and an opinion ("this work is not up to my standards" or "I do not agree with your approach to solving this problem.")
Note: being rude in expressing their opinions might make a person an asshole, but it does not make them "dishonest."
> 2) the earth being a sphere is an objective fact that can be proven by multiple means.
Thanks for telling me the point I was trying to make. It's very useful -_-'
> There is a fundamental difference between stating a fact and an opinion
There is, but often people mistake their own opinions for facts.
I'm sure Linus knew perfectly it was an opinion and not a fact because when he spoke about the issue we were having at a conference he kinda glossed over the bits that would have made it at least doubtful he was correct.
But of course people who hadn't read the mailing list and had no context had no choice but to believe he was absolutely right and forced to deal with very unreasonable people.
Had he said the full story, nobody hearing him would have thought he was completely right.
I don't think there is any point in continuing this conversation. You originally posted that someone was being "dishonest" because he wasn't "objective." That is simply incorrect, in the same way that stating the earth is flat is incorrect.
I wasn't party to whatever conversation you had with Linus, so I can't comment on your anecdote or if or how it relates to the argument(s) you are trying to make, other than to point out that nobody is 100% objective. That includes you.
