Ask HN: Is Ryan Bates okay?
From Reddit 28 days ago (http://www.reddit.com/r/rails/comments/1ysbdb/any_news_about...):"I am a friend of Ryan's, and know his dad as well. I haven't talked to Ryan directly, but his dad assures me Ryan is doing very well, and has just been on a very much needed break.
He also does plan to return to Railscasts."