People may not trust systemd because years ago there were some really bad defaults like https://github.com/systemd/systemd/issues/2402 that for instance mounted your firmware in read write mode by default.
That kind of thing leaves a bad taste in some peoples mouth. I am pretty sure some people have bricked hardware with systemd.
I agree, the subtle difference between the physics and math mindset is interesting. I wound up on the sidelines as a computer scientist who worked in a physics lab.
I do have a bit of physics in my background. I read about Grassmann recently in a game programming book. Foundations of game engine development Volume 1 By Eric Lengyel ends with a nice explanation of Grassmann algebra.
The road to reality by Roger Penrose also has a treatment of Grassmann algebra in physics context.
I agree the library is likely a reference to the mathematician.