[odnes_lex]

Like the OP, I owe much in my life trajectory to esr's How to Become a Hacker.

He's one of the people I've never met/barely interacted with who are dear to me.

He must be over 70 now, and it's been a few years he's neglected his- in past times- lively blog.

He used to be in financial straits, tried to launch a cultural initiative to draw support for Load Bearing Internet People like himself:

http://www.catb.org/esr/loadsharers/

He's still got a subscriberstar if you're looking to lighten your pocket.