Hacker News Reader

Comment by bprater | Hacker News Reader

Possible to get a compressed/TLDR version?

Shooter was probably bitten by a tick that carried a ton of diseases. Most doctors didn't believe that any one person could have so many symptoms, and treated Shooter's individual symptoms instead of trying too hard to figure out what was wrong with him. Finally one doctor figured it out. Shooter is slowly getting better.

Thanks. Now who is Shooter?

edit: Before I get downvoted because of emotional responses I want to clarify that I really have no idea who Shooter is and neither do I know about the relevance for this site.

Emotional response?

Is it really that hard to read the second line on the page?

Specifically the name of the person submitting the story?

Or maybe search for the word Shooter on this page?

I also did not know who it was, but it wasn't that hard to find out.

Of course I did click on the username to see the profile. I did not see a "check out my startup" in his submission nor anything else distinct. So is it http://www.amazon.com/D.-C.-Phillips/e/B001HCUZK0 (searched the web for his email alias) or what?

Wait, are you asking who Shooter is in a global context? Or just who is he with regard to the title of this submission?

Because if it's the first, that was not obvious at all.

If it's the first I also don't know, but did not attempt to find out (does it matter?)

Yes, the first! What a misunderstanding. :-)

The question is (and why you got downvoted) does it matter?

It's just a guy sharing his story because he was asked about it on another thread. Does knowing who he is change much? (i.e. if he's some super famous guy does he get more sympathy ;))

I've never written a book under my own name. I've started several successful companies in boring industries and I now mostly manage a private equity fund. Again, I'm nobody.

I'm nobody, dude. I put my username in the title because I was asked a question in another thread and couldn't think of a good title for my long answer. Sorry for the confusion.

Your not a nobody for certain. I'd say you were an Everyman. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everyman

Nobodies dont speak up about their experiences.

Thanks for the reply. Now I will read it. I assume it was a "that popular dude had this and that" post.

I tend to think some of the interesting bits are in the details, but - tptacek's very kind comment aside - I will try to summarize it all for you...

A tragi-comedy in three acts. Starring 'Shooter', a nobody:

Act I. Extreme Pain (many symptoms, unexplained.)

Act II. Going Insane (frustrating quest for answers, all in vain?)

Act III. Bugs in Brain (correct diagnosis. treatment. dragon slain?)

REMARKABLY NO.

Maybe the first justified use of all capitals I've seen on this site.

Guy had a lot of symptoms, no doctors really knew what he had. Eventually he found a doctor who said "You have a lot of diseases, but they are treatable." Guy now is improving, but still has serious, permanent health problems due to his awful ordeal.

TL;DR: Read the poor guy's story and show some sympathy! :)

I think TL;DR could well be a good epitaph for democracy in the United States!

Reply on news.ycombinator.com