I don't remember the exact ordering of events anymore but I was looking for a programming language alternative and stumbled upon lisp, and read PG's essays. The

I don't remember the exact ordering of events anymore but I was looking for a programming language alternative and stumbled upon lisp, and read PG's essays. Then shortly after, he introduced YC, and then I think HN was linked from the YC website or so. I didn't create an account for another 1-2 years.