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by taylorbuley 4802 days ago
I've read _why's guide to Ruby but feel out of the loop here. What is this? Why is it significant?
2 comments

I am not following this nearly as much as everyone else, but I can explain why I am interested in it.

_why is more of an artist instead of a programmer, he became popular, wanted to be anonymous (or at least his actions and code be more important than the person) but didn't really hide his identity. Once who he was became semi-popular (an actual name and, I believe, where he worked) he completely deleted his online presence. All of his code, etc. and just disappeared with no mention as to why he did it.

Now he is back and telling a story. I see it as a art project he is doing with his alternate identity. The character of _why is just interesting. First we have no idea why he disappeared, now we have no idea why he is reaching out to us.

In the end he could say "Drink More Ovaltine," disappear again, and I wouldn't be surprised.

But why would he? He's literally turned the internet into his printer. File --> Print --> To Internet. And this way, he can still stay offline.
It's closure for those that took over his projects and for those that worried about his sudden disappearance. http://words.steveklabnik.com/closure