16 lines
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16 lines
2.0 KiB
Plaintext
Terry Pratchett ascends to the pantheon, alive!
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<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>
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<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> – smelted the iron, and helped hand-forge it. Including, as he says, “several pieces of meteorites — thunderbolt iron, you see — highly magical, you’ve got to chuck that stuff in whether you believe in it or not”.</p>
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<p><span id="more-2581"></span></p>
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<p>To heck with a trivium like knighthood – with this beautiful hack, Terry ascends to a different pantheon. Here’s what I emailed him:</p>
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<blockquote><p>
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That is take-my-breath-away *awesome*. Even though no actual code is<br />
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involved, it arguably exceeds the awesomeness even of the guys in<br />
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Norway who actually implemented TCP/IP over carrier pigeons in 2002.</p>
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<p>Some instances of ha-ha-only-serious achieve a sublime quality that<br />
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will be praised as long as there are geeks and hackers to remember<br />
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them. I think this is one.
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</p></blockquote>
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<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>
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<p>Well, unless he already knows. It never came up when we talked, but he could be a swordsman too. I think I’m long past being surprised by any brilliant talent Terry exhibits.</p>
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