More relevant to HN readers is the fact that RMS's efforts have been a major factor in lowering the barrier for starting new companies. Almost all startups funded by YC are based on free/open source software. Sometimes people let his personality come in the way. But RMS has permanently changed the game.

It looks like so far the GNU project has been a huge success.

One thing remains: Hurd. You must ship the Hurd. Then, and only then, a true success will you be.

What's wrong with that Linux kernel? And all the BSDs?

Did you read the OP? A direct quote:

"For a long time, I just went on thinking that, even though Torvalds doesn't agree with the free software movement, at least we have a free kernel. But then I found that proprietary firmware was being put into the source code of Linux. So, in fact, Linux as released by Torvalds is not free software."

I don't see what the problem is. If you don't want proprietary firmware, don't include drivers for those devices in your configuration...

It mainly has to do with the opportunity/cost of companies deciding whether or not to develop open firmware. If a proprietary version is included in the kernel, they are very unlikely to bother to go through the cost of relicensing the software.

OK, that's a point. What about the BSDs?

Except OpenBSD, the other BSD's have just as much firmware binary blobs as linux does [disclaimer: I am a linux user].