--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'd argue that everybody wants to do…" description: "\"I'd argue that everybody wants to do something that matters, and the fact that Linux has had a huge impact on the tech market and is used virtually eve..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d2/linus-torvalds-1512_arguing_i-d-argue-that-everybody-wants-to-do-som_1495576.jpg" --- # I'd argue that everybody wants to do something that… ![“I'd argue that everybody wants to do something that matters, and the fact that Linux has had a huge impact on the tech market and is used virtually everywhere is obviously very personally satisfying. I think programming is fun, and the community around the kernel is great, but a project has to be…” quote by Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d2/linus-torvalds-1512_arguing_i-d-argue-that-everybody-wants-to-do-som_1495576.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d2/linus-torvalds-1512_arguing_i-d-argue-that-everybody-wants-to-do-som_1495576.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d2/linus-torvalds-1512_arguing_i-d-argue-that-everybody-wants-to-do-som_1495576.jpg) > “I'd argue that everybody wants to do something that matters, and the fact that Linux has had a huge impact on the tech market and is used virtually everywhere is obviously very personally satisfying. I think programming is fun, and the community around the kernel is great, but a project has to be relevant too.” [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People seek purpose; contributing to widely used tech like Linux gives deep personal fulfillment. **In simple terms:** Impactful work feels satisfying. Key Takeaway Find work that matters. Themes purpose impact community technology Mood proud enthusiastic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - career choice - open source contribution - team collaboration Key Concepts open source software engineering social contribution Questions to Reflect On - What project aligns with your values? - How do you measure personal satisfaction? A Different Perspective Impact may be limited by market forces or personal skill gaps. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Impact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impact/) [Linux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/linux/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Satisfying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satisfying/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [A lot of that momentum comes from the fact that Linux is free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-friedman/a-lot-of-that-momentum-comes-from-the-fact-that-linux-is-free/) [Nat Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-friedman/) > [I'm not worried about the kernel itself or the basic system. All the commercialization is about the distributions and the applications. As such, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-m-not-worried-about-the-kernel-itself-or-the-basic-system-all-the/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The Linux kernel is under the GPL version 2. Not anything else. Some individual files are licensable under v3, but not the kernel in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-linux-kernel-is-under-the-gpl-version-2-not-anything-else-some/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [There are lots of Linux users who don't care how the kernel works but only want to use it is not only a tribute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/there-are-lots-of-linux-users-who-don-t-care-how-the-kernel-works-but-2/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [A lot of people want to have market share numbers, lots of users, because that's how they view their self worth. For me, one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/a-lot-of-people-want-to-have-market-share-numbers-lots-of-users/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [We all know Linux is great...it does infinite loops in 5 seconds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/we-all-know-linux-is-great-it-does-infinite-loops-in-5-seconds/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Android is very different from the GNU/Linux operating system because it contains very little of GNU. Indeed, just about the only component in common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stallman/android-is-very-different-from-the-gnu-linux-operating-system-because/) [Richard Stallman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stallman/) > [There is no system but GNU and Linux is one of it's kernels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stallman/there-is-no-system-but-gnu-and-linux-is-one-of-it-s-kernels/) [Richard Stallman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stallman/) > [We counted over a million lines of code that we allege are infringed in the Linux kernel today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darl-mcbride/we-counted-over-a-million-lines-of-code-that-we-allege-are-infringed/) [Darl McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darl-mcbride/) > [It's a personality trait: from the very beginning, I knew what I was concentrating on. I'm only doing the kernel - I always found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/it-s-a-personality-trait-from-the-very-beginning-i-knew-what-i-was/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Right now some people are just running around in circles and claiming that moving things to the kernel automatically makes it more stable. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/right-now-some-people-are-just-running-around-in-circles-and-claiming/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I'm a big non-believer in manual driver and kernel configuration, be it visual or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-m-a-big-non-believer-in-manual-driver-and-kernel-configuration-be/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The idea of abstracting away the one thing that must be blindingly fast, the kernel, is inherently counter productive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-idea-of-abstracting-away-the-one-thing-that-must-be-blindingly/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The complaints I've had is that GitHub as a development platform - making commits, pull requests, keeping track of issues etc - doesn't work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-complaints-i-ve-had-is-that-github-as-a-development-platform/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I used to be interested in Windows NT, but the more I see it, the more it looks like traditional Windows with a stabler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-used-to-be-interested-in-windows-nt-but-the-more-i-see-it-the-more/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## More by Linus Torvalds > [Once you realize that documentation should be laughed at, peed upon, put on fire, and just ridiculed in general, then, and only then, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/once-you-realize-that-documentation-should-be-laughed-at-peed-upon/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think, fundamentally, open source does tend to be more stable software. It's the right way to do things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-fundamentally-open-source-does-tend-to-be-more-stable/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I used to be interested in Windows NT, but the more I see it, the more it looks like traditional Windows with a stabler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-used-to-be-interested-in-windows-nt-but-the-more-i-see-it-the-more/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think that freely available software can not only keep up with the evolution of commercial software, but often exceed what you can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-that-freely-available-software-can-not-only-keep-up-with-the/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Programmers are in the enviable position of not only getting to do what they want to, but because the end result is so important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/programmers-are-in-the-enviable-position-of-not-only-getting-to-do/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The NIH syndrome (Not Invented Here) is a disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-nih-syndrome-not-invented-here-is-a-disease/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The correct form factor for a laptop is obviously 12" and 2 lbs, and I don't understand why everybody gets that wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-correct-form-factor-for-a-laptop-is-obviously-12-and-2-lbs-and-i/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Hmmm, completely a-religious - atheist. I find that people seem to think religion brings morals and appreciation of nature. I actually think it detracts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/hmmm-completely-a-religious-atheist-i-find-that-people-seem-to-think/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [People will realize that software is not a product; you use it to build a product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/people-will-realize-that-software-is-not-a-product-you-use-it-to/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I claim that Mach people (and apparently FreeBSD) are incompetent idiots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-claim-that-mach-people-and-apparently-freebsd-are-incompetent-idiots/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [There are "extremists" in the free software world, but that's one major reason why I don't call what I do "free software" any more.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/there-are-extremists-in-the-free-software-world-but-that-s-one-major/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Real quality means making sure that people are proud of the code they write, that they're involved and taking it personally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/real-quality-means-making-sure-that-people-are-proud-of-the-code-they/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I have one very basic rule when it comes to "good ideas". A good idea is not an idea that solves a problem cleanly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-have-one-very-basic-rule-when-it-comes-to-good-ideas-a-good-idea-is/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I've never regretted not making Linux shareware: I really don't like the pay for use binary shareware programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-ve-never-regretted-not-making-linux-shareware-i-really-don-t-like/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Modern PCs are horrible. ACPI is a complete design disaster in every way. But we're kind of stuck with it. If any Intel people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/modern-pcs-are-horrible-acpi-is-a-complete-design-disaster-in-every/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) [Explore all 233 Linus Torvalds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## More Arguing quotes > [I do wish you wouldn't argue with me when I'm knitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/i-do-wish-you-wouldn-t-argue-with-me-when-i-m-knitting/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/it-s-fine-to-talk-about-politics-with-people-you-agree-with-but-it-is/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [Men are fair, and they have learned not to personalize anger - they can disagree with you and argue to the bone, but afterward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/men-are-fair-and-they-have-learned-not-to-personalize-anger-they-can/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Fasting is required, staying away from fighting and arguing and bombing of masjids is still going on. Hatred is still manifested between Sunni and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-farrakhan/fasting-is-required-staying-away-from-fighting-and-arguing-and/) [Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-farrakhan/) > [The problem for the Left, however, is that the moment it stops painting the Right as vile, it has to argue the issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-problem-for-the-left-however-is-that-the-moment-it-stops-painting/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-argue-with-a-person-who-has-renounced-the-use-of-reason-is-like/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [You can argue that the Terminator movies reboot their world each time they go back in time, but that doesn't negate the value of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hayter/you-can-argue-that-the-terminator-movies-reboot-their-world-each-time/) [David Hayter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hayter/) > [We may argue eloquently that 'Honesty is the best Policy' - unfortunately, the moment honesty is adopted for the sake of policy it mysteriously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/we-may-argue-eloquently-that-honesty-is-the-best-policy-unfortunately/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [I'm a very serious person, but I don't take myself very seriously and I would rather laugh all day than argue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stone-cold-steve-austin/i-m-a-very-serious-person-but-i-don-t-take-myself-very-seriously-and/) [Stone Cold Steve Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stone-cold-steve-austin/) > [These eyes, tho' clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/these-eyes-tho-clear-to-outward-view-of-blemish-or-of-spot-bereft-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [There's crucial distinction that has to be drawn between the Shari'a, which is this hugely expansive vision of cosmic order that I've been describing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadakat-kadri/there-s-crucial-distinction-that-has-to-be-drawn-between-the-shari-a/) [Sadakat Kadri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadakat-kadri/) > [Only fools argue whether to eat meat or not. They don't understand truth nor do they meditate on it. Who can define what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guru-nanak/only-fools-argue-whether-to-eat-meat-or-not-they-don-t-understand/) [Guru Nanak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guru-nanak/) > [The surest sign that you haven't any sense is to argue with one who hasn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/the-surest-sign-that-you-haven-t-any-sense-is-to-argue-with-one-who/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) Browse all 1,908 Arguing quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'd argue that everybody wants to do something that matters, and the fact that Linux has had a huge impact on the tech market and is used virtually everywhere is obviously very personally satisfying. 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