If you have a problem with someone's code, tell them about it, and be an adult about it. I've read Linus' numerous public outings of what he thinks are less talented developers, and it's childish, end of story. Nobody works well in that environment.
It's a simple cost/benefit thing for me; the costs are you lose talented developers who may be more sensitive to criticism, which people like Linus say is a good thing because apparently the quality of your work is partially determined by your ability to handle assholes. The benefit side is you get to act like a child publicly and not be treated like one. The cost doesn't come close to justifying the benefit.
In short: Linus and everyone like him need to grow up.
It's a simple cost/benefit thing for me; the costs are you lose talented developers who may be more sensitive to criticism, which people like Linus say is a good thing because apparently the quality of your work is partially determined by your ability to handle assholes. The benefit side is you get to act like a child publicly and not be treated like one. The cost doesn't come close to justifying the benefit.
In short: Linus and everyone like him need to grow up.