There’s nothing HN typical about him :)
I've long ago accepted I'd never make that list. If it ever happened I'd probably commit myself to an asylum immediately because it'd be 1000x more likely I had actually finally cracked and started hallucinating things.
Actually let's be real. Being a famous programmer is probably within my reach. I lack the discipline, focus, and dedication to spend the right amount of time on the right parts of the right projects. If this is possible for me to fundamentally address and within my capacity (still questionable) than doing things of deep impact is probably feasible. Even if it isn't, I should do it anyway.
I avoided children and marriage so I'd never have to choose safety over taking risks. So, take, more, risks. Now is the only time there ever will be.
I should print out those last 2 paragraphs and read it aloud in front of my bathroom mirror every day.