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Anyone who ever spent much time with John could probably tell a similar story. I used to hang out with him a bit in the mid-'70s. I'd read about him in the fam

Anyone who ever spent much time with John could probably tell a similar story. I used to hang out with him a bit in the mid-'70s. I'd read about him in the famous Esquire article, and it was pretty cool when I finally got to meet him. He wanted to learn how to program, and we had both recently discovered FORTH. Most importantly, he had some really good pot (for those days). So I would drop by and we would stay up late at night hacking and smoking. Then he asked me if I wanted to work out. I thought that sounded like a good idea. Goodness knows, everyone can use more exercise! Then I found out what he meant, and it wasn't exactly what I had in mind. So we went back to hacking and kept it at that level. It was really no problem, just a simple misunderstanding, and we continued to have fun hacking together. I didn't see John for many years, and then ran into him at the 2013 Homebrew reunion. I introduced myself and he didn't quite remember me at first. Then his eyes lit up and he asked me, "Did we work out?" https://www.flickr.com/photos/geary/10861963196/in/dateposted-public/lightbox/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/geary/10861963196/in/dateposte... Next time I saw John was at the 2015 CES, and he was in a wheelchair recovering from back surgery. You know, whatever feelings any of us may have about the guy, at this point he's not in the best of health. My personal feeling is that perhaps we could wish him well and let bygones be bygones?

Edmond 9y ago
off topic. Former pega PRPC ninja here....now I see why pega's market cap has gone from <0.5B (2010 when I joined) to >4B...they've definitely being hiring the right folks :)
xwvvvvwx 9y ago
> we could wish him well and let bygones be bygones? Well it can sometimes be hard to reconcile the person you know and like with the bad things they have done, it would appear that he systematically assaulted a very large number of young men over a period of decades. Criminal charges might be a more appropriate response.
sigmar 9y ago
There are absolutely people in their 70s and unhealthy that commit acts of sexual harassment and statutory rape. You have no concerns that there will be more victims? >Then his eyes lit up and he asked me, "Did we work out?" ^ Especially considering that this question suggests these weren't a few isolated incidents, but an abusive pattern repeated so often that he can't remember who he has done it with.
Mithaldu 9y ago
> bygones be bygones It is a crime. Period. As with any crime statutes of limitations should apply, but they should be that. Not "bygones because someone who got lucky feels pity for him". And you got lucky. As you demonstrate, to him these things are only dim memories. For people who got it bad they're scars they carry for their rest of their life and feel vividly every single day.

Edmond 9y ago

off topic. Former pega PRPC ninja here....now I see why pega's market cap has gone from <0.5B (2010 when I joined) to >4B...they've definitely being hiring the right folks :)

xwvvvvwx 9y ago

> we could wish him well and let bygones be bygones? Well it can sometimes be hard to reconcile the person you know and like with the bad things they have done, it would appear that he systematically assaulted a very large number of young men over a period of decades. Criminal charges might be a more appropriate response.

sigmar 9y ago

There are absolutely people in their 70s and unhealthy that commit acts of sexual harassment and statutory rape. You have no concerns that there will be more victims? >Then his eyes lit up and he asked me, "Did we work out?" ^ Especially considering that this question suggests these weren't a few isolated incidents, but an abusive pattern repeated so often that he can't remember who he has done it with.

Mithaldu 9y ago

> bygones be bygones It is a crime. Period. As with any crime statutes of limitations should apply, but they should be that. Not "bygones because someone who got lucky feels pity for him". And you got lucky. As you demonstrate, to him these things are only dim memories. For people who got it bad they're scars they carry for their rest of their life and feel vividly every single day.