Yikes.

Somehow I'm less than surprised that someone who embodies the free nature of the GNU project, is open to people having so much choice that they actively detriment themselves in their naivety.

Regardless, not a good look on Stallman. Very disappointing at the very least.

I understand his viewpoint for the most part, (not that I agree with him, I just understand him), and I would argue that psychologically, even 18/19/21 year olds often don't have sufficient comprehension of their actions to properly consent; the younger the person the more relevant and pronounced, this becomes. Combined with the trauma and lifelong mental suffering that many survivors have described, I can't see how, anyone, in good conscience, could possibly support the sexualization and exploitation of minors, even if they're 17 and almost of legal age. It's not a logical argument, it's a physiological, and a moral argument that must be considered.

Logically, he does have a point, where the specific age is less relevant; which I disagree with; but that argument does not hold up against the fact that morally speaking, there's more than enough reason to prohibit the activity for the psychological good of the children in question.

I appreciate all he's done for FOSS, but I can't support him as a person, especially not on this point.