It's sad because he has a lot of ideas that I agree with or find interesting, like how a long time ago he thought that open source software can, and should, become the dominant mode of software development. It's not the case in present day, of course, but it'd be nice if it were. That said, I remember having Snow Crash on my shelf for....oh, around 15 years or so and finally got around to reading it earlier this year/late last year. And oh my God that man cannot write a story. Cool, but superficial characters? Sure. An interesting setting where the world is violent and chaotic and capitalism has turned scientific advancement and private industry into a parody of itself? Also sure. Meaningful dialogue, plot structure, nuanced characterization, decent pacing, etc? Lol, no way, now let me describe my character doing a backflip while parrying an electric katana.