"Software is like sex: it's better when it's free"

Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, often uses wit and humor to express his philosophy about technology and software. His comparison emphasizes the value and benefits that come with freedom, openness, and accessibility in the software world. When he says that software is "better when it's free", it’s not simply about financial cost, but more about the concept of "free" as in freedom, freedom to use, modify, share, and improve.

Free software, as advocated by movements like the Free Software Foundation, enables users to access the source code, understand how programs work, and adapt them to suit their needs. This openness encourages collaboration and collective problem solving, moving away from closed, proprietary systems that restrict user autonomy. In this sense, software becomes not just a product, but a shared resource, much like how open relationships are sometimes seen as more fulfilling due to honesty and lack of restrictions.

The analogy to sex, another deeply personal and widely-desired aspect of life, is deliberate. For many, sex is best when it is consensual, open, satisfying, and free of constraints, the same qualities that make software development exciting and progressive. Free software thrives through community-driven innovation, with many contributors adding value, finding bugs, and forging new directions. Proprietary software, on the other hand, can restrict development, prevent customization, and even stifle creativity by erecting barriers.

Torvalds’s wry observation also touches on joy and enthusiasm. The thrill of free software lies in its ability to bring people together, foster learning, and democratize access to technology. The metaphor gently mocks corporate defenses of software control while celebrating the ingenuity and communal spirit enabled by sharing. Ultimately, the statement stands as an advocacy for a more open, transparent, and liberating approach to technology, one that aligns with the broader ideals of collaboration, exploration, and empowerment.