A lot of people are under a grave misconception here. It's been mentioned a few times but people seem to be missing it:
90% of kernel development is _not_ done for free. It is usually done by well paid individuals working on behalf on hardware/software companies.
When Linus speaks like this, he is _not_ picking on random people. He is usually shaming people who are mutiple offenders and have missed previous signs that they need to buck thier ideas up.
While it is not pleasant to be shouted at or given an earful, I would only be upset if it was unjust; I am sure that he ensures his more aggressive comments do not go out lightly.
If you think about it, this bloke probably sends out ~100 emails a day. If there is an impolite one maybe once or twice a month when someone is consistently not listening to what is being said, or is being purposfully ignorant then so be it.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
