Throughout the span of modern history, we've had gifted creators whose talent is at a minimum intertwined if not completely predicated on their mental illness. Whether it was Van Gogh or Kurt Kobain, we've seen it consistently.
Terry is potentially one of the first if not the only creators of this type using a completely digital medium.
Unfortunately, in years past, we only heard (in the mainstream) from the few that succeeded, not the huge numbers of individuals that just ended up in asylums or, worse, dead.
That's not to take anything away from the "project" (as art), but let's be realistic about the possible gains we (as a society) can gain from this. My conjecture is that it would be better to try to get some help for this person.
I find it very weird that his treatment is being viewed as unnecessary due to him producing something. Any other disease and this would be frowned upon.
His disease is a sad and miserable existence. Being schizophrenic is like have everyone against you; religion is his coping mechanism not to freak out against everything, but who knows how long it's going to last.
Anyone suggesting he could get be offered a job clearly never really knew someone with the condition. I think it could be possible if he worked remotely, though.
I hate so much schizophrenia... being denied reality has got to be one of the worst conditions a person can find herself in.
I don't think treatment is unnecessary at all - I assume if he was on medication he'd be gainfully employed writing code somewhere, and potentially producing even more interesting things.
Rather I was highlighting that individuals possessing a certain artistic talent, potentially correlated with propensity for mental illness, when untreated may produce incredible works of art as a side effect.
I'm not at all saying that him or society has a net benefit from that at all, but rather it's a second-order effect that is quite different from what we often observe (and stereotype) in terms of schizophrenia and mental illness.
And help him what? He is happy, doing the thing he likes. He doesn't look or sound like he would need help. Forcing him to make others' dreams come true (assuming by "help" you mean get him job) wont make him happier. His activity maybe is keeping him in check. Who knows what could happen if he's denied his single thing he enjoys.
I would add William Blake to your list: clinically insane by most parameters, obsessed with religion, but occasionally capable of producing art that could melt the most hardened atheist heart.
Terry is potentially one of the first if not the only creators of this type using a completely digital medium.
TempleOS is essentially a 10-year art project.