Lunduke
News • Science & Tech
Ladybird Web Browser Developer Attacked by Unhinged, Dishonest Activists
Activists concoct wild, meritless accusations of "Transphobia" and "Human Slavery"
July 03, 2024
post photo preview

Two days ago, the Ladybird Web Browser made quite a bit of news -- with a major investment and the establishment of a new Non-Profit organization to build a "from scratch" web browser.

Positive, non-controversial, non-political, very nerdy news.

Unfortunately, within hours of the spotlight being directed at Ladybird, a group of activists launched an all-out-assault on the open source web browser -- by smearing it as "Transphobic", "Mysoginistic", and (this is absolutely not a joke) suggesting that the Ladybird developers actively support and promote human slavery.

Hundreds of posts repeating such smears (among others) -- with one Tech publication declaring a total boycott of Ladybird because of it.

What vile deed were the developers of Ladybird guilty of, which necessitated such an intense response, you ask?

Well, I'll tell you.

The Ladybird team stated... wait for it...

... that they were a "purely technical project".

Seriously.  That was their crime.  Being "technical".

Here's the details.

No politics in Ladybird

When the Ladybird Browser Initiative was launched, earlier this week, their team included a very small statement on "ideologically motivated changes".

 

Source: GitHub

 

That statement reads, in full, "This is a purely technical project.  As such, it is not an appropriate arena to advertise your personal politics or religious beliefs.  Any changes that appear ideologically motivated will be rejected."

Seems incredibly reasonable for a software engineering project to remain focused on... software endingeering.

However...

A number of activists decided to do a little digging and found a 3 year old suggested documentation change -- in a different, but related, software project -- where the word "he" was suggested to be changed to the word "they".

 

Source: GitHub

 

The person who created this suggested change -- who had never contributed to that project before and was completely unkown to the existing developers -- considered it a "minor nitpick" to change one word that wasn't, in his view, "exactly the best".

The change was rejected with the statement, "This project is not an appropriate arena to advertise your personal politics."

And that was that.  No controversy.  No conflict.  

Until this week... when the news spotlight was directed at Ladybird.

The Attacks Begin

Now, ask yourself, what would be the appropriate response to this?

A denied, 3 year old request -- by one person who did not have any involvement in a project -- to change one word that was a "minor nitpick"?

Well, for the writer of OSNews.com, the only reasonable response would be a complete ban on reporting anything about Ladybird (and deleting exisiting articles).

 

Source: Mastodon

 

And, if you ask a variety of activists on Mastodon, the Ladybird lead developer should be smeared as "Transphobe."

 

Source: Mastodon

 

You'll note that, at no point, has the Ladybird team ever mentioned anything regarding "Trans" issues.  At all.  Not one statement.  The Lunduke Journal looked high and low and found absolutely nothing.

And, yet, the label of "Transphobe" is liberally applied.

As is "Misogynist".  Often accompanied by swear words.

 

Source: Mastodon

 

Attack after attack after attack.

Just to kick it up a notch, some activists even began suggesting that the Ladybird project was -- through their use of software version control systems -- advocating for human slavery.

Not a joke.

 

Source: Mastodon

 

You can't make this stuff up.

At one point, responding to one of the various attacks, the lead developer of Ladybird, Andreas Kling, made a short statement on X.

 

Source: X

 

"I have absolutely nothing against gender neutral language," stated Kling.  "I am however against outsiders doing drive-by [code changes] with ideological motivations.  If a regular contributor [had] made these edits, I wouldn't have thought anything of it."

This statement did not stop the attacks -- which continue to be posted across social media.

The Source of the Hate

Transphobe.  Misogynist.  Slave Owner.  That is just a sampling of the insults, accusations, and hate being hurled at the Ladybird team.

And, as is plainly evident from the evidence above, these attacks are not based in reality.  None of the quoted statements or actions, from the Ladybird developers, could even come close to justifying the accusations being thrown around.

Which begs the question... where, exactly, is this hate coming from?

Well, it turns out... we've seen these tactics before.  And, interestingly, we've seen some of these people before, as well.

The Trans Political Activists

Just 24 hours ago, The Lunduke Journal published a story detailing how a group of Political Activists had conducted a "purge" -- of people whom they believed were not sufficiently "Pro Trans" -- from within the NixOS project.

And some of the individuals who conducted (or supported) that "purge" within NixOS... are also at work here... attacking the Ladybird Web Browser.

One activist ("cafkafk") seen below, within the GitHub repository for the developer being attacked, celebrating the fact that other activists -- organized on "The Fediverse" -- had arrived to harass the Ladybird developer.

 

Source: GitHub

 

That same activist ("cafkafk") had spent time within the NixOS project -- both leading up to and during the "purge" of political undesirables -- pushing for bans of people who were deemed insufficiently "pro-Trans".

 

Source: SerenityOS GitHub & NixOS GitHub

 

In fact, multiple key players in the "NixOS Purge" have been actively posting and sharing the anti-Ladybird attacks.

Attacks Across Open Source

Time after time.  We see many of the same tactics -- with many of the same people involved.

So many projects:

SUSE & openSUSEHyprlandAsahi LinuxElementary OSNixOS.

And, most of the time, with a consistent pattern.

  1. People who are not actively, vocally supportive of Trans activities... are attacked.  Smeared.  Vilified.  Typically with dishonest, libelous statements.
  2. No matter what sort of apology, justification, or attempt at appeasement is made -- by those being attacked -- the attacks continue.  Always.
  3. Eventually (typically quickly) the attacks escalate into calls for people to "step down" or be "banned" in some way.

While there are some minor variations, from case to case, the overall patterns remain strikingly similar.  And, seemingly, escalating in frequency -- with three significant attacks in the last few months.

In fact, if recent history is any indication, we're likely to see additional attacks involving Open Source Software projects and companies -- by the Trans Political Activists -- in the near future.

As long as their tactics continue to have even the smallest amount of success...

As long as those being attacked fail to fight back...

The Trans Political Activists will not stop.  They will continue to attack and hurt people.

community logo
Join the Lunduke Community
To read more articles like this, sign up and join my community today
36
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
Gaming Linux Distro Targets Children with Trans Cartoons

Bazzite -- a Fedora Linux based OS focused on gaming -- created a
"Transgendered Bi-Sexual" cartoon mascot cartoon targeted at children.

00:19:49
February 06, 2025
Open Source is Anti-Free Speech

The first instinct, in almost every Open Source & Linux organization - From GNOME to Arch, NixOS to openSUSE - is to censor. To mute, delete, and block any who disagree.

I have the receipts.

00:34:34
February 04, 2025
Is Arch Linux Woke? Looks like it: Forum Censors Mentions of "Lunduke", Discord Goes on Lockdown

Following Arch Linux Discord voting to ban "links to X / Twitter" & death threats towards a journalist, all official Arch Linux channels begin mass censorship campaign.

00:29:39
November 22, 2023
The futility of Ad-Blockers

Ads are filling the entirety of the Web -- websites, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. -- at an increasing rate. Prices for those ad placements are plummeting. Consumers are desperate to use ad-blockers to make the web palatable. Google (and others) are desperate to break and block ad-blockers. All of which results in... more ads and lower pay for creators.

It's a fascinatingly annoying cycle. And there's only one viable way out of it.

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links? Check here:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

The futility of Ad-Blockers
November 21, 2023
openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"

Those in power with openSUSE make it clear they will not allow me anywhere near anything related to the openSUSE project. Ever. For any reason.

Well, that settles that, then! Guess I won't be contributing to openSUSE! 🤣

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links?
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"
September 13, 2023
"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

This episode is free for all to enjoy and share.

Be sure to subscribe here at Lunduke.Locals.com to get all shows & articles (including interviews with other amazing nerds).

"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044
post photo preview

Here's one @JohnBlood might enjoy.

This is an ad from 1983. Yes, ram mattered THAT much.

We had a huge debate in our house over whether to get the Atari 800 or the Commodore 64, and one of the main discussion points was 48K versus 64K. Mostly, we had no idea what we were talking about, and ultimately the Atari won because of games and brand recognition (we had a VCS). But still, TINY FRACTIONS of ram were enough to influence purchasing decisions, back in the early 80s.

Also, it's hilarious to read at the very bottom of this ad, all the ridiculous places you could find the Commodore 64:

  • Boots (a UK drugstore chain like Walgreens).
  • Tesco (a UK grocery chain lke Krogers).
  • WH Smith (a UK bookstore chain like B. Dalton or Borders).
  • Woolworths (a defunct US retailer in the UK that sold toys, furniture, kitchenware, and gardening supplies).
  • In addition to all the usual TV/Radio, and department stores.

Folks back then had no idea how to classify a "home computer". Was it a...

post photo preview
12 hours ago

Every open source project's worst nightmare

post photo preview
February 03, 2025
Fund Indie Tech Journalism. Lifetime Subs & Discounts available for 48 hours.

February is upon us! And — would you look at that — thanks to all of you, The Lunduke Journal is already fully funded through the end of February!

That means: We can continue to have zero sponsors, zero advertising and, even more importantly, zero influence from Big Tech.

Now. How amazing would it be if The Lunduke Journal could reach our funding goals through the end of March… almost two months ahead of time? Pretty freaking amazing. And absolutely doable.

Let’s do it.

Through Tuesday (February 4th), we’ve got a handful of discounts on Lunduke Journal subscriptions. Take a look. A huge thank you to everyone who has already subscribed — you make this all possible.

Every penny goes towards keeping truly independent journalism alive.

Lunduke Journal Discounts

For the next 2 days (through Tuesday, February 4th), in addition to regular subscriptions, you can grab two limited discounts:

  1. Discounted Lifetime Subscriptions (scroll down for details)

  2. DRM-Free, MP4 Downloads for 2024 & 2025 (combined) for 55% off.

There many ways to support The Lunduke Journal. Choose the option that makes you smile. It’s all listed below.

Where to grab a Monthly or Yearly Subscription:

These are regular price. But still awesome.

Lifetime Subscription Details:

  • Pay once, full subscription for life (on Locals, Substack, or both).

  • Available only until Tuesday, February 4th. Then the Lifetime Subscription option goes “back in the vault”.

  • Can be purchased via Locals, Substack, or with Bitcoin. Chose whichever works for you. Scroll down for steps.

Where to buy a DRM-Free, MP4 video yearly download pass:

Want to be able to download every show The Lunduke Journal releases (and watch them on whatever device you like)? Yeah. You can do that.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Locals:

The "World Famous Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription" is exactly what it sounds like. Pay once and get full access to The Lunduke Journal (with all the perks of subscription on Locals). For life.

New Lifetime Subscriptions are available, for $200, from now through February 4th. Then this option goes "back into the vault".

Here's how to grab one of these coveted bad boys for yourself:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select "Give Once".

  3. Enter "200" into the amount field.

  4. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

You can also snag a Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Substack.com/subscribe.

  2. Select the “Lifetime Subscription” option.

  3. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

If you would like full, Lifetime access to Lunduke.Locals.com (which is included):

  1. Make a free account on Lunduke.Locals.com.

  2. Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the email address you use on both Substack and Locals (can be different email addresses).

  3. Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status on Locals.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription (with Bitcoin discount):

And, finally, you can obtain a Lifetime Subscription via Bitcoin. Save a few bucks with this option, as Bitcoin processing has fewer fees associated with it.

  • Make sure you have a Lunduke.Locals.com account (a free account works just fine).

  • Send $190 worth of Bitcoin (or more) to the following address:

bc1qyjakve8fywm8pz2v99v57yhjj0vzr2vjze6fcq

  • Email "bryan at lunduke.com" with the following information: What time you made the transaction, how much was sent (in Bitcoin), and the email address you use (or plan to use) on Locals.com.

Once again, thank you. The Lunduke Journal would not be possible without your support.

You rule. Seriously.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
January 13, 2025
Last 24 Hours: 55% off DRM-Free MP4s, & Discounted Lifetime Subscriptions

Holy guacamole, Batman! We are now over 80% of the way to our funding goal… for the end of February. And it’s not even half way through January! I am absolutely gobsmacked.

Want to help push us over the 100% line — and directly fund the truly independent Tech Journalism of The Lunduke Journal?

Lots of options. Big and small (and all amazingly helpful). Scroll down & choose whatever works best for you.

Lunduke Journal Discounts

For the next 24-sh hours (through Tuesday, January 14th), in addition to regular subscriptions, you can grab two limited discounts:

  1. Discounted Lifetime Subscriptions (details below)

  2. DRM-Free, MP4 Downloads for 2024 & 2025 (combined) for 55% off.

There many ways to support The Lunduke Journal. Choose the option that makes you smile. It’s all listed below.

Where to grab a Monthly or Yearly Subscription:

Lifetime Subscription Details:

  • Pay once, full subscription for life (on Locals, Substack, or both).

  • Available only through Tuesday, January 14th. Then the Lifetime Subscription option goes “back in the vault”.

  • Can be purchased via Locals, Substack, or with Bitcoin. Scroll down for steps.

Where to buy a DRM-Free, MP4 video yearly download pass:

Want to be able to download every show The Lunduke Journal releases (and watch them on whatever device you like)? Yeah. You can do that.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Locals

The "World Famous Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription" is exactly what it sounds like. Pay once and get full access to The Lunduke Journal (with all the perks of subscription on Locals). For life.

New Lifetime Subscriptions are available, for $200, from now through January 14th. Then this option goes "back into the vault".

Here's how to grab one of these coveted bad boys for yourself:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select "Give Once".

  3. Enter "200" into the amount field.

  4. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Substack

You can also snag a Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Substack.com/subscribe.

  2. Select the “Lifetime Subscription” option.

  3. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

If you would like full, Lifetime access to Lunduke.Locals.com (which is included):

  1. Make a free account on Lunduke.Locals.com.

  2. Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the email address you use on both Substack and Locals (can be different email addresses).

  3. Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status on Locals.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription (with Bitcoin discount)

And, finally, you can obtain a Lifetime Subscription via Bitcoin. Save a few bucks with this option, as Bitcoin processing has fewer fees associated with it.

  • Make sure you have a Lunduke.Locals.com account (a free account works just fine).

  • Send $190 worth of Bitcoin (or more) to the following address:

bc1qyjakve8fywm8pz2v99v57yhjj0vzr2vjze6fcq

  • Email "bryan at lunduke.com" with the following information: What time you made the transaction, how much was sent (in Bitcoin), and the email address you use (or plan to use) on Locals.com.

Nice and easy. Lots of options.

Once again, thank you. The Lunduke Journal would not be possible without your support.

You rule.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
January 12, 2025
Discounted Lifetime Subs, 55% Discount on MP4 Downloads for 2 Days

The Lunduke Journal remains 100% free from advertising… and, even more importantly, 100% free from all Big Tech influence.

And, because we never take a penny from any company, this is only possible thanks to you.

All of you amazing nerds showed tremendous support for The Lunduke Journal last month — grabbing Lifetime and standard subscriptions — meeting our necessary funding requirements for January… before January even started.

Mind. Blown.

This allows me to focus on new reporting — without needing to worry so much about funding and “business stuff” during the month. Which means more shows & more investigations. A massive win for all of us.

That also means that, this month, we don’t need to do a big “fundraiser”. Instead, we’re going to just send out this quick reminder of how absolutely critical your support is for the continued success The Lunduke Journal — the last bastion of truly independent Tech Journalism.

Seriously. Couldn’t do this without you.

Scroll down and take a look at the options. See if any jump out at you. Then give yourself a high five for making Tech Journalism that much more awesome.

Lunduke Journal Discounts

For the next 2 days (through Wednesday, January 15th), in addition to regular subscriptions, you can grab two limited discounts:

  1. Discounted Lifetime Subscriptions (details below)

  2. DRM-Free, MP4 Downloads for 2024 & 2025 (combined) for 55% off.

There many ways to support The Lunduke Journal. Choose the option that makes you smile. It’s all listed below.

Where to grab a Monthly or Yearly Subscription:

Lifetime Subscription Details:

  • Pay once, full subscription for life (on Locals, Substack, or both).

  • Available only until Wednesday, January 15th. Then the Lifetime Subscription option goes “back in the vault”.

  • Can be purchased via Locals, Substack, or with Bitcoin. Scroll down for steps.

Where to buy a DRM-Free, MP4 video yearly download pass:

Want to be able to download every show The Lunduke Journal releases (and watch them on whatever device you like)? Yeah. You can do that.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Locals

The "World Famous Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription" is exactly what it sounds like. Pay once and get full access to The Lunduke Journal (with all the perks of subscription on Locals). For life.

New Lifetime Subscriptions are available, for $200, from now through January 15th. Then this option goes "back into the vault".

Here's how to grab one of these coveted bad boys for yourself:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select "Give Once".

  3. Enter "200" into the amount field.

  4. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Substack

You can also snag a Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Substack.com/subscribe.

  2. Select the “Lifetime Subscription” option.

  3. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

If you would like full, Lifetime access to Lunduke.Locals.com (which is included):

  1. Make a free account on Lunduke.Locals.com.

  2. Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the email address you use on both Substack and Locals (can be different email addresses).

  3. Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status on Locals.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription (with Bitcoin discount)

And, finally, you can obtain a Lifetime Subscription via Bitcoin. Save a few bucks with this option, as Bitcoin processing has fewer fees associated with it.

  • Make sure you have a Lunduke.Locals.com account (a free account works just fine).

  • Send $190 worth of Bitcoin (or more) to the following address:

bc1qyjakve8fywm8pz2v99v57yhjj0vzr2vjze6fcq

  • Email "bryan at lunduke.com" with the following information: What time you made the transaction, how much was sent (in Bitcoin), and the email address you use (or plan to use) on Locals.com.

Nice and easy.

Once again, thank you. The Lunduke Journal would not be possible without your support.

You rule.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals