Patrick Stewart has died
News of Sir Patrick Stewart’s death at 86 from Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia prompted an outpouring of grief, particularly from those who grew up with him as Captain Jean‑Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Commenters credit his portrayal of a principled, empathetic leader — along with roles in X‑Men, Shakespearean theater, and comedy — with shaping their ethics, management style, and even career paths in tech. Many reflect on the loss as emblematic of a fading cultural era of optimistic, utopian science fiction, and lament how hard it has become to legally rewatch some of his formative work.
Emotional impact and personal meaning
- Many describe unusually strong grief, some crying at work or multiple times.
- TNG is recalled as formative childhood/teen viewing, often watched with parents; Picard is repeatedly described as a surrogate father or moral role model.
- Several say his portrayal shaped their ethics, ideas of manhood, leadership, and even career paths in tech.
- Multiple people compare the impact of this loss to Robin Williams or George Carlin.
Iconic roles and favorite work
- Star Trek: The Next Generation dominates: Picard as embodiment of integrity, empathy, and “competence porn”; episodes often cited include The Inner Light, Tapestry, The Drumhead, Chain of Command, Darmok, Measure of a Man, and The Ensigns of Command.
- Other widely praised work:
- Shakespeare (stage, 2010 Macbeth, sonnet readings during COVID, complete sonnets audiobook).
- I, Claudius, Excalibur, Lynch’s Dune, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
- Voice roles: American Dad, games like Oblivion and Lands of Lore, anime/animation.
- Comedy turns in Extras, Frasier, Blunt Talk, and sketches.
- One‑man A Christmas Carol is a recurring personal tradition for some.
Illness, death, and end-of-life debates
- Family statement cites Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia; several share personal stories about LBD’s cruelty and note Robin Williams’ case.
- Many are surprised given how sharp he seemed in recent interviews and roles; timeline from last filming to death is seen as fast.
- A few speculate he may have chosen an assisted death; others emphasize this is unknowable and complicated by law.
- Broader discussion on genetics vs lifestyle in longevity, and on not blaming the sick.
Star Trek, leadership, and utopia
- Picard’s management style is held up as a template for real-world leadership: truthful, consultative, calm under pressure, “servant leadership.”
- TNG is praised as a masterclass in competent teamwork and ethical problem‑solving, contrasted with modern anti‑hero‑driven media.
- Long subthreads debate Star Trek’s utopian, post‑scarcity vision versus realism, capitalism, and human nature, comparing it with DS9, Babylon 5, The Orville, The Culture books, etc.
HN meta: black bar and relevance
- Many request a black memorial stripe on HN, arguing his influence on technologists is immense.
- A moderator reiterates the longstanding convention of reserving it for eminent contributors in CS/tech entrepreneurship and asks to drop the argument.
- Some lament HN feeling less “hacker‑y,” but most agree this topic is on‑topic given its cultural impact on the community.