Why the success of Linux is mainly a manifestation of Unix Renaissance that could happen with or without Linux

Actually what is new about Linux from the technical standpoint? Not much. It's just another attempt to refine a Posix compatible kernel and technically it's difficult to call it the best free Posix compatible kernel. The main difference with other kernels is that from the beginning it was oriented on most widely available and cheap hardware (386sx) and was distributed under GNU license. I would agree that Unix kernel is an extremely interesting  operating system kernel that remains viable despite numerous attempts to create new and better kernels. And that Linux is a viable implementation of Unix in a Microsoft way, if you wish. My point is that Microsoft does not innovate on purpose and arguments to the contrary (VBX-COM, OLE, etc) are accidental. It just brings other people's innovations into the mainstream. The Microsoft paradigm is to be a "close follower", not an "innovator". The same is basically true about Linux. See Slashdot Systems Research Is Dead -- the discussion of Rob Pike paper Systems Software Research is irrelevant.  Therefore for me Linux kernel development is not a new and revolutionary development model, but just one of the most vivid demonstration of the Unix Renaissance. I see it more as a logical continuation of the famous GNU project of the FSF -- the project with strong connections to the MIT. I am convinced that this connection was crucial to the success of GNU project like the connection to the University of Helsinki immensely helped the Linux project during early, most difficult stages. Universities are really, really, nice places to work if you want to advance state of the art in technology.