Dissecting the Apple M1 GPU, the end

I'm unclear what the relevance of this comment is. It's by the same author but doesn't seem to bear any relevance to the M1 GPU.

Not the OP but my guess is that they want to raise awareness that people who are making significant technical contributions in our field are affected by the actions of the US administration. Not that exceptionally talented people deserve more legal protections, but the reality is that our industry would be worse off without people like Alyssa.

I know it can be at times grating to constantly hear about stuff like this, but I can assure you folks like Alyssa would rather focus on techie stuff rather than have to ask for help so they can stay safe. For them that worry is now always present and it’s not something they can ignore.

The author is incredibly talented, and has done the community with a valuable service; one that the HN crowd especially is likely to benefit from.

Many people in her situation are not lucky enough to be in a mental or physical position to be able to pursue this sort of work or take advantage of their talent, and that is in large part due to the persistent and long-standing discrimination trans people face.

Even if one is totally self-interested, it pays not to discriminate. Even if one can't muster up even a little decency to not discriminate because, ya know, it's wrong.

> I’m 21 now. I’ll be blunt: if not for gender-affirming care, I don’t know if I would be around. If there would be FOSS graphics drivers for Mali-T860 or the Apple M1.

Thanks. I agree with your sentiment. But the OP just posted a random quote from one of her blog posts with no context. It could have either been to raise awareness about her being trans (honestly I'd have never known had it not been for the comment), or to discount the original article because she is trans.

I hope it was the former, but that's why I didn't want to just assume the OPs intention.

I agree. But I wouldn't have known that the author was trans had the commenter not pointed it out. My thoughts about the original article are unchanged, but if the goal is to not discriminate, then pointing out a feature that many people would discriminate against seems counterintuitive imo.

If the original commenter said something like "it's inspiring that a trans person could overcome all odds and have such an accomplishment" then that comment has value. Randomly pointing out that the author is trans with zero context has no positive value.

Their quote was easily translated for me:

“Asahi Linux wouldn’t exist without trans people. No one realizes how much Linux progress, and especially how much Linux graphics/gpu progress, hinges on trans people. Perhaps the selfish motivation of wanting Linux to succeed will make HN readers less placidly tolerant of trans hate in the future.”

But, as one of those “wait, you’re trans?!” people who silently contributes to projects without labeling myself, I get how it could be confusing. Hope that helps!

Thanks! I understood the quote in itself, but the OP quoting it with no additional context could have had two connotations: one nefarious (don't bother with this article because it was written by a trans person with an agenda) or one of positivity (Linux wouldn't be where it is now without trans people).

I always hope for the latter, but context and mood are impossible to communicate easily online which is why I was asking for clarification.

There’s a lot of value in selecting the best faith interpretation and then replying in that context; for those silent readers who might be confused, it helps clear up their confusion to the disfavor of any underhandedness — which is then forced to either identify itself plainly (and promptly get flagged) or lose the battle and move on.

That's good advice.