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I didn't read it as an attack.

"Beard matted into a bizarre pizza crust" ... "waddled up". Not an attack, but hardly respectful: a smug, substance-free attempt to make light of him and his concerns.

Me neither.

I read it more as a humorous anecdote about our favourite old-school hacker and free software ideologist.

Appreciated - wasn't an attack and I was there. I didn't stand super close to RMS when the exchange occurred, so wanted to be clear I was paraphrasing.

I read this as the beginning of an attack:

Beard matted into a bizarre pizza crust flapping off the end of his chin,

Followed up by

He waddled

Maybe I am being overly sensitive, but this is not how complimentary or affectionate descriptions often work in my world.

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