1. The Linux kernel is the most successful software project in history. 2. This is not the same as saying that it can continue to be so successful as it takes over the universe. 3. Most people including his detractors would say Linus' many good and bad qualities are a big part of why it has succeeded until now. 4. Linux would be better if as many smart people as possible can work on the project. 5. His self-admitted abusive email practices (mostly they are in email, he's pretty meek in person IMHO) appear to have alienated a lot of people, and indeed seem to have driven away a decent share of half the brains that can make the kernel better. That's women, in case that is not clear. 6. If the kernel project wants to continue to succeed and power our cars, and phones and spaceships, key people not just Linus need to consider that it can't scale with the same dynamic it has. There are a gazillion useless contributors, there always will be, and the somewhat closed male community of core developers and reviewers needs to find ways to let in players in a way that does not alienate all the people that are not like them and communicate like them. And those attitudes start at the benevolent dictator level.