The problem is that the number of users is directly proportional to technological quality.
People use gcc over non-copyleft compilers because they perceive it as technically superior. People use emacs over non-copyleft editors because they perceive it as technically superior.
Sacrificing technological quality to fulfill an agenda will actually have the opposite effect, because it'll drive users to non-copyleft solutions in order to get the better piece of software.
It's not just the number of users, either. When your software is dominant, you're in control. You get to have a say in the direction of the technology, and you get to prevent the lesser players from having their say.
By sacrificing technological quality for ideological purity, RMS is giving up both his userbase and his dominant position he can use to prevent non-free software from taking over.
People use gcc over non-copyleft compilers because they perceive it as technically superior. People use emacs over non-copyleft editors because they perceive it as technically superior.
Sacrificing technological quality to fulfill an agenda will actually have the opposite effect, because it'll drive users to non-copyleft solutions in order to get the better piece of software.
It's not just the number of users, either. When your software is dominant, you're in control. You get to have a say in the direction of the technology, and you get to prevent the lesser players from having their say.
By sacrificing technological quality for ideological purity, RMS is giving up both his userbase and his dominant position he can use to prevent non-free software from taking over.