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Comment by eru | Hacker News Reader

Makes you wonder whether anyone outside of your immediate friends and family will miss you.

RIP Dan.

The number of people who would cry at my death is ~13 (immediate family including in-laws). Within that, the number of people who would be deeply affected is 5 (kids, spouse, parents). Aside from them, the number of people who would think "wow, weird" on hearing of my death is maybe a couple dozen, and the number within that who would think of me for >20 seconds more than a year from my death is probably less than half dozen.

It doesn't bother me that these numbers are "small."

We have limited familial / personal attention and care to give to others. Either you could spread it thin by becoming a big leader but no personal depth among fans. Or you could increase depth among very few near and dear.

Not everyone reaches that limit.

I've thought about that myself, and came to the conclusion that in my case the answer will most likely be no. I can't say I'd be too disappointed though, being missed by a handful of friends and family would already signal a life well lived.

I will miss Dan's comments, and this community was better for his participation.

I'm sure it brings Alexander the Great a lot of comfort knowing he is remembered. I say, enjoy life without optimizing for what happens after you're dead.

Though a little cold, you are correct. "fear is the mind killer", and fear of death or not being remembered is ultimately not a positive thing to hold on to whilst being alive.

With respect to DanBC, whom I did not have the pleasure of knowing very well, I am happy for him that he seems to be celebrated and loved widely - a clear sign of a good person (regardless of how valuable that ultimately might or might not be in the minds of outside observers like myself) who had a positive impact of those he touched throughout his life.

I wish all people who knew him all the best in processing this surely tough to swallow pill. Despite someone having a long-term illness, if you care a lot for someone, it is always seemingly unexpected for it to end. Dealing with a passing of a friend is always difficult, and I hope anyone who misses him, has people to share with good memories of him to process and deal with this in a good way.

May the joyful and kind memories of him serve as pillars of support for those who miss him, to move on and keep him in their hearts.

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