[zdragnar]

If the attention bothered him, the simple solution is to create another account under an alias. I do it to keep the worlds apart, and I am not even famous.

Given all that he has accomplished and the influence his work has had on multiple generations of computer and gaming nerds, I don't see the celebrity status as terribly unwarranted.

[garbagetime]

Sure, it's a simple solution, but it comes at a cost. There are a lot of reasons to use one's own name when writing.

[Retr0spectrum]

So if people wish to be treated like normal human beings, they must hide behind pseudonyms?

That may be the current reality of the situation, but it doesn't mean we have to keep it that way.

I'm not saying he doesn't deserve his status, I'm just saying let's not get too fanatical about it.

[sbarre]

No one is doing pilgrimages to his house or stealing his garbage or following him around here..

We're just acknowledging that he is an exceptional contributor to our industry, and that his work has inspired a TON of people.

To have someone of that stature contribute to your project is exciting! There's nothing strange or creepy about that, and if people want to celebrate that in their own way like printing a Git commit or something, whatever!

Imagine being an indie film director and having Kathryn Bigelow show up on set one day to give you some notes and feedback on your film. You might frame that piece of paper.

Imagine being a local chef in a restaurant and having Julia Sedefdjian stop by for a meal and compliment your food. You might get a photo to keep on the wall in your kitchen..

Nothing wrong with any of that, I think you are characterizing things to an unwarranted extreme here.

[Retr0spectrum]

I don't take issue with anything listed in your comment. The comment I was originally replying to described:

a) Bypassing their own code review processes.

b) Creating a contributors list, just so they can put Carmack at the top of it (what about all the other contributors?!)

IMHO this crosses a line. Not in a big way, but one worthy of comment.

[texasbigdata]

If he breaks something just go fix it. Would be a funny story.

[Turing_Machine]

I wouldn't bet that it's "no one".

Carmack, while not Cardi B or whoever, is famous enough that I'd bet he has at least a few extreme worshipers and extreme haters.

That said, if Carmack contributed to one of my projects, yeah, I'd be sure to let people know that. :-)

[gmadsen]

fame and fame admiration is as old as civilization. And yes, using pseudonyms has been used for 100s of years for the same reason. You are complaining about something that is deeply human in nature.

I don't think the comment was fanatical at all, it was a lighthearted joke.

[Retr0spectrum]

Just because it appeals to nature, doesn't make it good.

While I agree it was likely lighthearted, that does not exempt it from criticism.

[abnercoimbre]

You've had several HN readers suggest your criticism is unwarranted. I agree as well. Seriously, nothing from the OP indicates anything fanatic or out of the ordinary.