Terry Pratchett ascends to the pantheon, alive!
<p>Some years ago, in <a href="http://esr.ibiblio.org/?p=28">The Delusion of Expertise</a>, I wrote about the memorable occasion in 2003 on which some friends and I were able to bestow on author Terry Pratchett the accolade of hacker, recognizing him as what he had always been: one of us.</p>
<p>Now comes the news that as part of his preparations to be formally knighted by the Queen of England, Terry <a href="http://www.news.com.au/technology/terry-pratchett-creates-a-sword-with-meteorites/story-e6frfro0-1225926584339">made his own sword</a> &#8211; smelted the iron, and helped hand-forge it.  Including, as he says, &#8220;several pieces of meteorites â€” thunderbolt iron, you see â€” highly magical, youâ€™ve got to chuck that stuff in whether you believe in it or not&#8221;.</p>
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<p>To heck with a trivium like knighthood &#8211; with this beautiful hack, Terry  ascends to a different pantheon.  Here&#8217;s what I emailed him:</p>
<blockquote><p>
That is take-my-breath-away *awesome*. Even though no actual code is<br />
involved, it arguably exceeds the awesomeness even of the guys in<br />
Norway who actually implemented TCP/IP over carrier pigeons in 2002.</p>
<p>Some instances of ha-ha-only-serious achieve a sublime quality that<br />
will be praised as long as there are geeks and hackers to remember<br />
them. I think this is one.
</p></blockquote>
<p>Happens I taught Terry how to shoot pistols that weekend in 2003. I hope his sword is properly balanced for combat use, because this I swear on my honor as a swordsman and a geek: if I ever make it to within travel range of Terry and his sword, I <em>will</em> teach him at least the basics of what he needs to know to use it properly.  </p>
<p>Well, unless he already knows.  It never came up when we talked, but he could be a swordsman too. I think I&#8217;m long past being surprised by any brilliant talent Terry exhibits.</p>
