“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." - Mark Twain
We all have seen the graph that is making the rounds. The question posed. The assumptions made. I have seen the speculation. Many have weighed in, offering their takes, their conclusions. But now I’d like to offer my perspective, one that is shaped from a place that is both deeply personal and uniquely informed.
No, I don’t believe this is the end.
It’s a moment. To pause, to reflect, and to remember why this place exists in the first place. It’s an intake of breath before the first step. It’s a chance. A precipice. An opportunity to rebuild, but not just for the sake of survival, but because what has been built here matters. Because Stack Overflow remains something rare. It’s human. It’s messy. And it’s beautiful.
This isn’t just a website. It’s a community. A place where people come together not just to solve problems, but to share what they’ve learned, to connect, to help each other grow. It’s imperfect, sure. People disagree, mistakes are made, and sometimes it’s not as smooth as we’d like it to be. But that’s what makes it real.
That’s not something you find everywhere. It’s not something you can replicate with a machine. Because it’s driven by something machines don’t have: empathy, curiosity, and the willingness to help a stranger.
I know things aren’t perfect right now. The once-unrelenting tidal wave of knowledge sharing has slowed to a trickle, and it feels like the world is moving faster than ever, leaving places like this behind. But I don’t see this as the end. I see it as a turning point. A chance to reflect on what’s been built here over the last 17 years - a place that’s survived on one simple, powerful idea: that knowledge should be shared freely, and that human connection is at the heart of learning. That mission hasn’t changed. And it’s still just as important today as it was when this all began.
We’ve all been there, those first uncertain steps of discovery or the frustration of problem-solving when the sheer volume of information leaves you unsure of which path to take. This place serves as a lighthouse in those moments of uncertainty, a guiding hand when you’re reaching out in the dark. Here, unlike anywhere else, seekers are never truly alone. It’s about the person on the other side of the screen. Someone who’s walked the same path, faced the same challenges, and is willing to share their hard-earned wisdom. That connection isn’t just valuable; it’s irreplaceable.
So no, I don't see this moment as the end, but the possibility of what could be. A chance to take everything we’ve learned - the good, the bad, and the messy - and use it to move forward. To double down on what makes Stack Overflow unique. To remember that this isn’t just a website. It’s a community. A place where people come not just to solve problems, but to connect. To collaborate. To build something bigger than themselves.
This is our chance to create something new. To embrace a fresh start, a bold reimagining, driven by the same enduring mission. To take the lessons of the past and shape a brighter future. A future where the community not only survives but thrives. A place that is stronger and more resilient than before. This is a moment to rebuild and to reimagine what this place could be. Not just for those who are here now, but for those who come after, seeking the same light, the same guidance, the same connection. This is the time to create something extraordinary. A space that continues to inspire, and in a world increasingly driven by automation, reminds everyone what humans can achieve when they come together.
And that’s why this matters. This place serves as a reminder of what it means to be human. It’s not always easy, and it’s not always perfect, but it’s real. And that’s why I’m not giving up. I still believe. Because what happens here matters. It matters to the people who come here looking for answers, and it matters to the people who stay to share them. This place is a testament to the power of human connection, and that’s something worth fighting for. That’s something worth believing in.
