My Body, My System

by Vince Kellen

The argument was getting heated. At one end of the table stood the Linux bigots, banded together and angry. At the other end were the Microsoft bigots, standing stalwart and snooty. At stake was the future of operating systems for a new business intelligence platform. Neither side would retreat from its position that its product was superior. Both sides believed that the dire fate of the world demanded their undying defense of their patch of green and their obstinate opposition to the other side. There I stood on the sideline reflecting on the famous quote that politics can be so brutal when the stakes are so low. I could conjure no Wisdom of Solomon to help ease the pain of the losing side. Both sides argued as if they were about to lose an arm.