Ask HN: How to contact why the lucky stiff | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: How to contact why the lucky stiff

13 pointsjayro19 comments

One of our TechZing listeners just requested that we try to interview _why to ask him about his unusual views/approaches and why he disappeared so suddenly, and while I think it would make for a great interview, I have no idea how to actually get in contact with him. If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them, or if anyone knows how to get the word to him directly then please ask him to email us at podcast@techzinglive.com.

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Good luck with that--I believe that if _why wanted to tell people his reasons for disappearing the way he did, he would have done so. What you are proposing is pretty much the equivalent of interviewing Salinger about why he withdrew from the limelight.

You're probably right, but I figured it's worth a shot.

@michael_dorfman

"...if _why wanted to tell people his reasons for disappearing the way he did, he would have done so."

Why so snarky?

J.D. Salinger did those exact interviews.

http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/09/13/specials/salinger-spea...

Then it's like trying to interview early D&D artist Dave Trampier about why he suddenly gave it up and started driving a cab.

If someone cuts his ties so violently as _why did I think that an attempt to contact him for an interview is a form of disrespect.

So do you think this holds true forever? Surely it can be done in a respectful way. Whats the harm in holding up a sign saying "Hey _why, if you ever decide you want to tell your story, we would love to hear it." No one is suggesting hiring a private investigator or some other intrusive method. Notice the wording of the question: "...please ask him..."

Yes, I believe so. I think that if _why ever decides to come out of hiding it should be entirely on his terms and up to him when where and how he does it.

"I think that if _why ever decides to come out of hiding it should be entirely on his terms and up to him when where and how he does it."

Nothing I've said negates that. He's free to accept or reject the offer/request.

I think this would be an incredibly interesting interview. I bet it would help if Techzing assured him of complete anonymity.

We would absolutely guarantee him complete anonymity. Our goal isn't to out him. It's just to give his fans an opportunity to hear him express his views.

you really think he's still alive? the whole thing smelled so strongly of suicide, especially given the quantity and character of his output. many creatives go this way.

you may want to ask daniel bogan of usesthis.com how he managed to interview him: http://why.usesthis.com/

How would you know it was really him?

_why would have to prove his identity by doing something with one of his online accounts.

Which he deleted.

Many online accounts are never truly deleted and can be reactivated at a later time.

Ask him to send a photograph of himself doing something specific. That would prove the person at the other side at least knows him.

Good luck.

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