Visualize RMS as like the patron saint of a religion, which is full of schism and sub-sect.
He's using his position to influence mindshare, and he doesn't think he's got a handle on the details. He just wants some of his devotees to start kicking the problem around.
> Could people please start working on the features that are needed?
sounds far too like the completely detail-less requirements we get through from our clients like "please provide robust MI".