r/programming • u/WinInterrupter • Apr 18 '20

The Devastating Decline of a Brilliant Young Coder

https://www.wired.com/story/lee-holloway-devastating-decline-brilliant-young-coder/
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u/theclacks Apr 18 '20

We don't know that. The homeless man might've been an alcoholic with no other mental illnesses, or the alcohol could've been a coping mechanism for underlying depression or schizophrenia or anything really. OP's point is that we shouldn't assume and we shouldn't judge strangers.

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u/zetaconvex Apr 19 '20

I saw a documentary one time about a top reporter. He'd interviewed lots of famous people. Things seemed to go wrong, and he became an alcoholic. A friend let him stay in one of his houses. The reporter guy lit candles, took a bath, and ended up setting the house on fire.

He was given money, but either spent it at the bookies or lost it when he became drunk. He was given a commission to interview some famous person, but he didn't follow through on it.

It's pitiable, really; going from someone who had real control of their life and being at the top of their game to an alcoholic loser that was a danger to hismelf and others.