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What Happened to Lee

wired.com

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Re: What Happened to Lee

#211

Post by ssivark »

dang wrote: post #163
woah wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m sure he did a great job, but I’ve seen those things be a huge nightmare for anyone other than the irreplaceable genius code wizard who created them.

I guess you're using the word genius ironically, but I've also seen such things be radical in the sense that they're built in a way that no one else would have done, yet it ends up working perfectly for the business and being far more successful than anyone would have predicted. There's a certain type of mind that is immune to fashionable or normal technical choices, that often goes along with remarkable productivity…

Thanks for the touchingly poignant homage to creative problem solving. Even if we appreciate the effectiveness of such a solution, the sheer artistry in it is highly under-appreciated. Most people sadly walk around with so many blinders that they cannot really _see_. _"[...] pause. Then, pause. Then pause again."_ indeed.

Re: What Happened to Lee

#212

Post by xenihn »

thephyber wrote: post #173

Sandra did a wonderful piece in capturing Lee, his family, his work, and his degeneration. Lee was a coworker and roommate of mine for years. Some additional info that might be of interest to this crowd: He was fantastic at video games (RTS and RPG) and chess. He had impeccable hand-eye coordination. He co-founded a gaming clan. None of that is relevant anymore. There is nothing to be done. His condition can't be sol…

Which RTS games did he play?

Re: What Happened to Lee

#213

Post by 0x8BADF00D »

This story convinced me that I need some sort of legal document stating my desire to be euthanized if I ever reached this point. Ideally, I'd like to leave this world with an extremely high dose of a psychedelic drug. Not hooked up to machines in a hospital bed.

Re: What Happened to Lee

#214

Post by sdan »

I've always wanted to work at Cloudflare because of Lee. He was probably the first one from my high school who actually made something that people want (and I also use everyday).

Re: What Happened to Lee

#215

Post by Waterluvian »

rubicon33 wrote: post #107

Terrifying. As a software engineer, shit like this scares me. I've felt like I'm on a steady, slow, decline for the last ~4 years. Is it just burnout? Do I need a new hobby? I used to love programming... Spent 12 hours a day jamming on it. Now, I struggle to keep my mind on a line of code for more than 5 minutes. At what point is it just burnout, or at what point is it something more? That's what's terrifying to me.…

Sounds like you're ready for your next career. If you're fortunate enough to lead a life and live somewhere that doesn't systemically lock you in, maybe think about starting over at something different.

Re: What Happened to Lee

#216

Post by ericabiz »

Coming to this late, but wanted to offer my condolences and a friendly ear if anyone reading this is dealing with FTD in a friend or relative.

My dad was diagnosed in his 60’s with FTD and declined for years until he passed away in January. It has been really difficult, and even more so for my mom, as she had to deal with him becoming aggressive in later stages of FTD.

It’s an ugly disease, not well-known, and hits people younger than typical Alzheimer’s symptoms would. I’m so sorry to those who have to go through FTD with relatives. It’s just extremely difficult from all angles. :(

If you are dealing with this, whether with the person in the article or someone else, my contact info is in my profile.

Re: What Happened to Lee

#217

Post by f2000 »

novok wrote: post #191
dimxasnewfrozen wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

After reading this I had to do a quick self-assessment. For the last few years or so (I'm 33, also a software engineer) I've noticed a pretty big decline in my mental state. I can't focus. I immediately forget what I just looked at, read or did. I completely zone out when people talk to me. I am just not present in any situation. What is strange is that I can actually notice it, not in real-time however. It's been wo…

Also how is your sleep. 6hrs/day in your 20s is different than 6hrs/day in your 30s.

I’d second this. Check you sleep. #hours. Get a sleep study, make sure you don’t have sleep apnea. Also review your diet and any substances you consume. In my case it was sleep apnea in my 40s that took me from “coding like a m’fing riot” to barely able to concentrate long enough to code a for loop. good luck.

Re: What Happened to Lee

#218

Post by eastdakota »

warent wrote: post #209
rubicon33 wrote: post #107

Terrifying. As a software engineer, shit like this scares me. I've felt like I'm on a steady, slow, decline for the last ~4 years. Is it just burnout? Do I need a new hobby? I used to love programming... Spent 12 hours a day jamming on it. Now, I struggle to keep my mind on a line of code for more than 5 minutes. At what point is it just burnout, or at what point is it something more? That's what's terrifying to me.…

I think the fact that you're reflecting on it means there's no actual degradation. Someone with Lee's disorder doesn't seem to be capable of self reflection at all. To me it doesn't really sound like he's suffering, especially given the fact that he doesnt really have meltdowns and freakouts. It sounds more like he's just reverting to a state where his behaviors and consciousness coming from the cerebellum/brainstem,…

This feels right. Even when he could express himself in a way I could understand, he never expressed himself as frustrated or suffering. The disease at some level seems to rob its victims from the ability to suffer. It’s hard to comprehend.

Re: What Happened to Lee

#219

Post by eastdakota »

ericabiz wrote: post #216

Coming to this late, but wanted to offer my condolences and a friendly ear if anyone reading this is dealing with FTD in a friend or relative. My dad was diagnosed in his 60’s with FTD and declined for years until he passed away in January. It has been really difficult, and even more so for my mom, as she had to deal with him becoming aggressive in later stages of FTD. It’s an ugly disease, not well-known, and hits p…

Thank you.

Re: What Happened to Lee

#220

Post by eastdakota »

hkmurakami wrote: post #42
eastdakota wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. Very. It was important to me and Michelle that it be a tribute to Lee’s genius and contribution to Cloudflare. We spent a long time looking for the right reporter and publication. Wired seemed appropriate given Lee’s love of technology. And Sandra was a total class act. We opened up fully to her, spending nearly a year letting her get to know us. Lee’s family was incredibly giving of their time. It takes a reall…

Thank you for this post. It reminded me of the one line in “General Magic” where Marc Porat tells the documentary producer that the reason he agreed to make himself very available and open for the film was so that his (presumably somewhat estranged) children can get to know him and the story and the work they did, better. Terribly sorry for you and your friends and colleagues’ loss. Thank you and everyone else for do…

Had same reaction when I saw Marc in the General Magic doc. We’d already started working with Sandra when I saw it. But think it’s part of why Marc’s story was so emotional for me. Both stories of opportunity, genius, and loss.
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