my take on the social media thing is that it basically amounts to creating an outside context problem. gathering the opinions of us plebs doesn't really matter because the kernel isn't developed by the masses, no matter what ESR thinks. the project is headed by Linus (and his "generals") and what they say goes. so riling up a bunch of nobodies that aren't fully aware of all the requirements there are on the kernel will amount to brigading no matter how well-meaning the mob is.

the LKML exists and is public specifically because they don't want to deal with fielding questions from people on social media. they want to field questions from people who care enough to read it.

actually, they did try using social media for a while. unfortunately they chose google plus.