[thaumaturgy]

I think the thing I like about _why -- not that anybody asked -- is that I'm never sure what to think when I'm reading this stuff. Usually I can't get through more than a few sentences of something without judging it: "That was smart, this was insightful, this author is a moron, I don't think that was right, I disagree with that but I'm not bothered by their opinion..."

_why really kills that here.

I'm never sure if there's a point to what he's writing, if he's playing a joke on people, or if he's playing a character, or if he's being totally and completely honest in an unusual way.

I'm not sure if I'm the joke, he's the joke, or if we're sharing a joke.

Or if it's not a joke at all and I'm just too stupid to understand.

It's really neat.

[patrickdeuley]

I really like how you put that - it perfectly sums up how I feel about it. I'm never sure exactly what parts he's kidding about (though there are a few obvious ones), but that isn't the point, right? It's a story, and the story and the feeling you get from the story are the point, not specifically what is and isn't true.

A lot of people have tried to dissect this way too far and have gotten extremely heated in the process. I would argue that they haven't spent enough time dealing with high art. The artist might have a statement they're making with a certain piece, but ultimately that's unimportant next to what you take away from it. If this speaks to you, if this is meaningful to you, then that is the point. The reaction you take away is precisely what it is, and there's no point in arguing about it - but if you wish to share and revel in the experience, let's collectively appreciate it in that way.

I for one found it enthralling. Part of it I know had to do with nostalgia, as I actually was first interested in programming in part by his Poignant guide. The first third or so of the book really reflected that writing style, and I loved it. As it progressed, it got heavier and heavier, and I'm still not sure I understand the allegory he was painting, but the sense I got from it was very clear to me. Some have suggested that it was in reference to his experience in the startup world, and I can buy that, but I feel like there was something there that I probably won't grasp until I wake up in the middle of the night tonight thinking about it.

Thanks for telling us one more story _why, wether it's your last or not, I enjoyed it.

[eob]

Nicely put. I think that you've really captured what about his writing and persona are so special to the community.

I think the sense of sensitivity you feel through his writing adds to that, too. If he's making a joke of you, it's a gentle one. Kind of the yin to Zed Shaw's yang.

[harrisreynolds]

I thought of Zed Shaw some when reading these comments too. Definitely different from _why but still comes at things from a different and sometimes bizarre perspective that I like!