Perhaps, but they do seem to like me. Should I warn them? Tell them I'm dangerous?

No of course not. You're not dangerous...if so, uh, I am logged into a random stranger's Hacker News account. :)

Kidding aside friend, I get the feeling you've been hurt in the past and that's really sad. I can't change any of that. But I can tell you that you're a pretty cool person in the present and you can attract other cool people by being authentically you. Consider your list of favourite books - you're fricking cool.

If you're authentically you, you will get burned and that's sad. But in a way, you're burning other people to keep from being burned.

Thanks for this talk - I enjoy you.

Well, thanks! That's much appreciated. I was being a little whimsical with the parent comment, by the way.

The entire comment tree is honestly really baffling to me.

From people claiming I'm a secret fan of Rand, to people claiming I'm antisocial, or a sociopath - it's been a wild ride.

From my perspective, it would be worse to subject myself to people who hate me. And just because I'm not friends with someone doesn't mean I wouldn't jump start their car, or help them out in another way in a pinch.

It's all just so bizarre to me.

Have a good night.

from an outsider's perspective, this has been some of the most fun hacker news comment chains ive seen for a good long while keep it up, if you can consistently come up with such entertainingly divisive stuff as this you'll go far, i'm sure.

Dude…you need to stop justifying this bullshit. This is too much - holy fuck. What you’re doing is wrong. Thats a full stop and there’s no room for debate. What you are doing is wrong. Functional people don’t lie when they’re asked about their favourite book. And you chose a lie that hurts the most people.

It may be bizarre to you. But you’re actually the most bizarre person I’ve met in a very long time.

I chose a lie that hurts people? Hurts them how? Have you never told someone that you're "having a good day" on an objectively terrible one?

I’m done with this. You’re either fucking with me or I’m not qualified to help.

I'm not fucking with you, and there's nothing to help.

I'm living my life happily surrounded by people I cherish and appreciate - and who cherish and appreciate me.

I pay taxes. I have a lover and children. I hang out with friends, and we all have a good time.

I can't see your viewpoint as anything but being inflexible. Contrary to popular belief lies are an important aspect of the human condition. We lie to others and ourselves.

I agree - the comment tree has been baffling to me too, but rather amusing. I understand that some people disagree with your original post about using a particular book to sound people out, but I don't understand the harsh reactions to the method itself (it seems some were against the method rather than the book?). That kind of thing sounds to me like an interesting conversation starter or prompt!

> Your friends deserve better.

Maybe they don't.