This is entirely to do with breaking something popular; something that worked well. In truth I think pulseaudio is wonderful...but I haven't forgotten the breakages for many, even if the fault laid elsewhere(Ubuntu and Audio) drivers. I am pretty ambivalent about systemd, but I understand why *faster* startup is important. Overall my experience is better for Lennart, but again this is not about Open source, but major changes/regressions for little gains...worthwhile only historically. It pisses people off.
This really raises questions why Apple under Jobs an obvious competitor can release irreparably faulty(Antergate,Bendgate...a little thanks to Verge, Camera problems) buggy products and have it defended, Releasing Buggy/Incomplete Products(Maps/iOS8) or even slowing down products that worked to unworkable(every version of iOS on every iPhone)
Maybe the real problem is Marketing or transparency or community involvement whatever stops the users(Developers) feeling helpless (Jobs would smile in a turtleneck and say you don't want those droids) to being forced to suffer major inconveniences. I object to Lennart kicking back at what seems like an ungrateful community(sic), but really its a cry for support in an area he (and Mr Cook) don't have.
That said what a man.