[callmeed]

Given there are pictures of _why, how is it possible that no one knows (and has revealed) his real name?

I'm not asking because I want to know–it just seems odd in this day and age that someone actually could remain anonymous (especially someone in technology circles).

[molecule]

someone did that two years ago, @ which point _why packed up and went home.

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=773108

[cdr]

His real identity becoming more widely known quite possibly had something to do with his disappearance.

[wyclif]

What I find amazing about _why is not that he was able to use an assumed identity for so long, but that people who knew his real identity kept it under wraps because they enjoyed his contribution so much. Kind of like Santa Claus.