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About this quote

What does it mean?
He defends the Linux mascot by humorously suggesting a penguin can be aggressive.
In plain terms
The penguin mascot is strong and serious.
What can you take from it?
Symbols can have multiple interpretations.

Where it applies

  • community branding
  • product marketing
  • technical debates

Putting it to work

  • use humor in branding
  • own your symbols

Questions to consider

  • What makes a good mascot?
  • How does branding affect perception?

Another view

Metaphors may not convince everyone.

More from Linus Torvalds

  1. The main reason there are no raw devices [in Linux] is that I personally think that raw devices are a stupid idea.

    Permalink to quote #11
  2. Only wimps use tape backup: _real_ men just upload their important stuff on ftp, and let the rest of the world mirror it ;)

    Permalink to quote #13
  3. An infinite number of monkeys typing into GNU emacs would never make a good program.

    Permalink to quote #10

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