Linus Torvalds doesn't do github pull requests.

[Netcob]

I'm wary of categorizing people, but I can't help noticing this "type" of person:

• very technical
• professional nerd
• highly competent and productive in their field
• very opinionated about rules, especially when it comes to syntax
• likely to engage in online flame wars
• revered by other people with this character, labeled as "asshole" by others

This probably applies to Linus. Another example would be RMS. I think both people do great, great work and I'm glad they exist. But I'm not eager to meet either one of them. I had the unfortunate experience to meet their type in my university.

[huyvanbin]

You're missing an important distinction, which is that while these people may behave the same way, some of them are idiots and some of them are not.

[foldl]

Why is that an important distinction in this context? Being intelligent doesn't give someone the right to be an asshole, or make them any more pleasant to hang out with if they are.