TLDR; it's the way we've always done it and there's a lot of inertia so we won't put in a plan for the future because that's a lot of work.

What is this modern programing method C. We need to get back to the purist programming language...

Assembly /s

TL;DR: In which the author doesn't comprehend that Rust can do everything C can do on the same hardware, and overstates the stability of C as a language, pleading sentiment over sensibility.

The arguments are, at best, a reason not to have Rust as the primary language in the kernel. Implementing new hardware drivers or platforms is still viable even if you accept everything here.

Absolutely delusional.

code that is readable, auditable, and easy to port

Yeah C is the language that comes to everybody's mind reading that. /s

C's simplicity ...

Is that simplicity currently in the room with us?

... and widespread adoption make it the best choice for this philosophy.

Ah, the asbestos argument.

If people want to run the latest kernels on hardware that isn't maintained anymore, they need to toughen up and send patches ...

... or they stick to an old kernel for their unmaintained hardware.

Both is fine to me, but that entitled Boomer attitude of "nobody should have nice things, because that would challenge status quo" needs to die.