Re: RIP Matt S. Trout

I have just unexpectedly stumbled upon this dedication in the PAGI docs by JJNAPIORK. It is sweet and fitting and brought a tear to me eye.

Still miss you, Matt.

🦛

Comment on Re: RIP Matt S. Trout

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Re^2: RIP Matt S. Trout by LanX (Saint) on Feb 14, 2026 at 14:25 UTC
He had such a complex personality. :-/ The first time I noticed him was at the `YAPC::EU` in Riga in 2011, when he gave a talk and was going into lengthy details how annoying German developers are. Literally! I was gobsmacked ... I think he was very kind in personal contact over the years, but this first impression stuck and I kept a distance. Admittedly I also had problems deciphering his accent. I didn't follow all the drama and controversies in the following years, but met some of his collateral damages. I think a lesson learned for the community is that a ingenious developer is not necessarily a gifted leader. And idealizing them means damaging them. Last time I saw him was at another `YAPC:EU` I think it was 2019 in Riga again, we spoke a little and I was shocked how weakened he looked. :-( May his soul rest in peace. Cheers Rolf _{(addicted to the Perl Programming Language :) see Wikisyntax for the Monastery}	[reply] [d/l] [select]

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Re^2: RIP Matt S. Trout
by LanX (Saint) on Feb 14, 2026 at 14:25 UTC

The first time I noticed him was at the YAPC::EU in Riga in 2011, when he gave a talk and was going into lengthy details how annoying German developers are. Literally!

I was gobsmacked ...

I think he was very kind in personal contact over the years, but this first impression stuck and I kept a distance. Admittedly I also had problems deciphering his accent.

I didn't follow all the drama and controversies in the following years, but met some of his collateral damages.

I think a lesson learned for the community is that a ingenious developer is not necessarily a gifted leader. And idealizing them means damaging them.

Last time I saw him was at another YAPC:EU I think it was 2019 in Riga again, we spoke a little and I was shocked how weakened he looked. :-(

May his soul rest in peace.

Cheers Rolf
_{(addicted to the Perl Programming Language :)

see Wikisyntax for the Monastery}

[reply]
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