Jake Seliger has died
Jake Seliger has died, leaving behind his pregnant wife, Bess Stillman, and their daughter, Athena. Bess, an ER physician, plans to write a memoir about their shared experiences.
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Jake Seliger has passed away, a loss felt deeply by those who knew him through correspondence and shared interests, particularly in drug research and development. His writing was characterized by thoughtfulness and authenticity. Seliger's wife, Bess Stillman, is currently seven months pregnant with their daughter, Athena. Bess, an ER physician, has been highlighted for her work and her poignant reflections on the challenges of clinical trials and the emotional toll of delivering bad news. In his final reflections, Seliger expressed gratitude for the support he received during his battle with cancer and emphasized the importance of supporting Bess and their unborn child. He acknowledged the difficulty of leaving his family but remained hopeful for Athena's future, despite the absence of her father. Bess plans to complete a memoir based on their shared experiences, ensuring that their story continues even after his passing.
- Jake Seliger has died, leaving behind his pregnant wife, Bess Stillman, and their daughter, Athena.
- Seliger was known for his thoughtful writing and advocacy for drug research and development.
- Bess Stillman is an ER physician and has shared insights on the challenges of her profession.
- Seliger expressed gratitude for the support he received during his illness and emphasized the need to support his family.
- Bess plans to complete a memoir based on their life together.
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- Bess, Jake's wife, expresses gratitude for the community's support and plans to continue advocating for FDA reform in his memory.
- Many commenters share their personal experiences with cancer, emphasizing the emotional toll it takes on families and caregivers.
- Jake's writing and insights, particularly regarding his cancer journey, are praised for their depth and honesty.
- Several commenters note Jake's continued engagement with the community until the end, showcasing his dedication and strength.
- There is a collective call to remember Jake's legacy and continue his advocacy work in cancer treatment and research.
50 commentsI've lost the love of my life, as well as my thinking and writing partner, and everything is strange and disorienting right now. It's a comfort when nothing feels comfortable to know how appreciated he was and still is. As soon as I'm able, and for anyone who is interested in joining the efforts, I promised him I'd continue the push for FDA reform, and to try to find ways to improve agency for cancer patients so that other people in his position might suffer less than he did. I've never known a braver person. I'll miss him forever, but won't stop trying to keep his legacy alive.
Please feel free to reach out anytime (I'm at drbstillman@gmail.com). Thank you also for all the well wishes for myself and Athena, who I hope will be just like her Dad.
He blogged at <https://jakeseliger.com/>, and numerous of his blog articles were submitted to HN: <https://news.ycombinator.com/from?site=jakeseliger.com>. That includes numerous topics, over the past year or so his experience with cancer, often concerning frustrations with the process and mechanism.
His essay on agenticness especially strikes me as hugely insightful and underappreciated. It was submitted several times to HN but saw little discussion:
<https://jakeseliger.com/2024/07/29/more-isnt-always-better-d...>
Jake's wife, now widow, Bess, blogs at Everything is an Emergency: <https://bessstillman.substack.com>. That also details the cancer / caregiving experience, from the point of view of a wife, caregiver, expectant mother, and emergency-room doctor.
Glad he is no longer suffering.
We still need to beat cancer, all types. Let's keep going where Jake left off.
May he rest in peace.
Extremely driven guy, and also super interested in the why of everything I was doing and the debugging process.
Also he had the first kinesis keyboard I ever saw in person, which kind of pushed me down the build your own keyboard route, which really helped later when I was having RSI issues.
He left us far too soon.
Removing FDA restrictions, to speed up drug discovery:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40894632
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40746156
And removing regulatory restrictions on housing, to build more homes:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41125739
"Starting hospice. The end" - 1178 points 4 days ago https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41157974
May he rest in peace.
I know Google has a nice tool to share your account after you are gone, as for the rest, I have no plans.
Anyone has good suggestions on managing one's own digital legacy?
It is a terrible disease. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. The horror, pain and lethargy that you experience... Having chunks of your body cut out periodically... Slowly dying from the inside out... Watching your loved ones fall apart... I can barely put into words how difficult it is. If you know someone who has this disease, reach out to them, they need love and support.
Rest in peace Jake. You will be missed. But more importantly, you will be remembered.
He had a way with words that I was impressed to see him cling onto until the very end.
Thanks Jake, you'll be missed.
Spend time with your loved ones.
Death eventually comes for us all, but the sheer pain and agony of witnessing someone pass from cancer is particularly unbearable.
My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
That’s a legacy. You’re a role model to me for how I hope to face my moment when it comes.
Rest in Peace Jake, and I wish you the best on the path forward Bess!
His blog post recently was moving and eye-opening. If you are in the headspace for tough topics, read it and you won't regret it.
Googling his name doesn't help either.
Who is he?
https://bessstillman.substack.com/p/the-drugs-killing-dying-...
I like to think some day his daughter will appreciate getting to go through his HN comments & such.
I know that he wasn't a big deal, outside this community, but within HN, his posts were kinda awesome (and heartbreaking).
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The author is entrusted with a deceased man's unfinished novel by his widow, presenting a complex narrative. He grapples with insecurities and the weight of completing someone else's story, reflecting on the challenges of writing and the burden of unfinished works.
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Jake Seliger has entered hospice care due to advanced squamous cell carcinoma. He reflects on his life, expresses gratitude, and encourages donations to cancer research while preparing for his impending loss.
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