Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

People Call Me Aaron

medium.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

1–10 of 114 posts

Re: People Call Me Aaron

#5

Post by 6stringmerc »

Very interesting reflection on identity in the modern world as it relates to family, fame, and trajedy. I have to say that the situation does feel very familiar to me based on some other readings and historical examples. I'll explain. The most prominent correlative is with respect to Hunter S. Thompson. He created Raoul Duke as a character, and Gonzo Journalism as the method by which to report and embellish/comment on the world.

I view it very much as a 'persona' and, in my opinion, most all highly intelligent individuals - especially those in the public eye - must have one (or quickly develop one) in order to cope with the needs of being self-confident to carry forward with beliefs and goals and values, yet also be able to "put down the microphone" and live a wholesome, personal life. This is the elements of celebrity and notariety that are weaved into the essay, and it's very touching to see the care expressed toward himself, his brother, and trying to understand and work through the behavior of outsiders. Aaron, from what I saw and recall, had a very prominent persona. It's pretty much 'immortality' in the Achilles sense.

To me, and this is just from one musician and writer who has embraced using pen names and personas for years, this article is very useful to give some thought and consideration to how, generally speaking, US society and culture has decided to value 'authenticity' and 'transparency' to the point of being a little bit intrusive. I'm possibly under-stating it, but I also don't want to get too far away from what the essay is conveying to me. It's an affirmation of a perspective I formed and was guided to form as a youth in the arts: Notariety, whatever its source, has significant baggage.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r31hV_BPFf0

Re: People Call Me Aaron

#6

Post by eloy »

The best read about Aaron that I've read in the past few days.

I had a weird feeling while reading this, I don't really know why, after having read quite a few articles already.

Thanks, Noah!

Re: People Call Me Aaron

#7

Post by jere »

Whoa. I met Noah at a very small game dev conference last May. I had no idea who he was until this moment, nor was I aware that anyone else did, but I could be wrong. It's interesting to think how that interaction would have changed, probably for the worse, if I had known more about him beforehand.

Re: People Call Me Aaron

#8

Post by herbig »

[deleted] wrote: post #4

[deleted]

He can say "previously a professional Magic: the Gathering player" but really he means on hiatus. No one ever quits.

Edit:

This made me curious as to what it was like within the GP/PTQ/SCG scene for him. From my experience, almost no one in that scene would know anything about Aaron.

Post reply on HN