I can only add my good thoughts, best wishes, and sincere prayers to the ones already here. You’ll be missed around here, Polycarp… and I will read a Spider Robinson book one of these days, I promise. 
F_X
I think it says something very disturbing about our society when someone with Polycarp’s writing ability and obvious intelligence can’t find gainful employment. Very sad.
Anybody have a spare laptop sitting around they could loan Poly so that he could at least have some online recreation instead of being stuck at home dealing with all these downer issues without any outlet? I’m sure that we could also manage some access for him to, one way or another…
My prayers are with him.
No Polycarp?
This is just so…wrong.
Oh no
By the way, Poly, can you take the bus to the library?
You’re in my prayers, Polycarp!
Here’s hoping things improve for Polycarp and his family–I know being unemployed is stressful and depressing–and that’s he’s able to make it back to the boards sooner rather than later.
Hoping things get better in the Polycarp family very soon. I know that Poly’s faith will sustain him through what will be a difficult holiday season, but I hope the best wishes of us atheists will in some way lighten his load. Come back quickly Poly - your presence here is sorely missed.
My love and prayers are with you always, my friend…but I will redouble my efforts.
My Love,
Cheri
This won’t do. Polycarp is necessary!
I want my Polycarp!
That’s not a bad idea, and as it happens, I do. It’s not much–an old P266 Toshiba with a couple rows of fried pixels and little or nothing in the way of installed apps, but it does have a PCMCIA modem that works (or at least did, last time I looked). I haven’t used the thing in months, but have verified (just now) that it still boots.
All of which means that I wouldn’t be in any hurry to get it back (if ever).
Seriously, I’m more than willing to do this. RTFirefly (or whomever) might want to run the idea by Polycarp first, but if he’s up for it, so am I.
Poly’s one of those people I’m just glad is here. Sending good thought for gainful employment his way!
I’m fairly certain the entire board will feel somewhat empty (“if Polycarp were here, he’d know what to say to get both sides calmed down and back to the actual topic”) with him gone.
Well, RATS …
For stuff like this to happen to a guy like Poly is just plain wrong. Wish him a merry Christmas from me, and tell him he’s in my prayers.
boomvark, you are a great guy. I am glad you have a laptop to spare, and I really hope Poly is receptive to the idea of using it.
Used PCs (desktop or laptop) are dirt cheap these days. I’ve been using my Mac more these days so I might be a bit out of the loop, but isn’t Juno free, as long as you put up with the banner ads? Wouldn’t it run on an old creaky PC? (Like a Pentium 100 or something?) Come on—there’s no reason that I can think of for Poly to be computer-less at home.
I mean, I think that some way, somehow, we can get a PC to him! The laptop seems to be the best option right now, but if not, I’m sure something else will work out. I have a spare 33.6 external modem I could donate if it would be useful.
Man this is sad.
No. We are not going to accept this. We are going to get a PC to Poly. Used computers are so cheap. I think this can be easily and cheaply resolved.
Assuming that Poly has a phone line, I’m sure there are plenty of Dopers who’d be willing to kick in a few dollars towards ISP charges if we can sort out the hardware issue.