You overestimate Linus&#x27; role in the process. The process is hierarchical and by the time patches reach Linus they&#x27;re already bulk by the very definition of it.<p>What leads to better security? Having an out-of-tree patch that few people use, or include parts of it in mainline thus benefiting everyone? Eventually most, if not all, of their changes would reach mainline. Also, is it good for security to accept bulk patches touching all kinds of sensitive parts of the kernel? I&#x27;d say that the existing process is better for security in the long run.<p>This process isn&#x27;t about bowing to anyone, and thinking about patches as someone&#x27;s baby doesn&#x27;t help either. This happens every day with patches from companies with deep pockets and big influence and they end up going along with the program to get their stuff accepted. The result is invariably better than the original bulk patch.