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And now another one, Arthur C. Clarke, also dead

Q

Queso

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Mar 4, 2006
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I'm beginning to feel like the Grim Reaper today. BBC News are just reporting that Arthur C. Clarke, one of science fiction's greats, has died in Sri Lanka. Clarke, equally famous for works such as 2001: A Space Odyssey as for predicting the existence of a perfect orbit for geostationary communications satellites, was 90 years old.

BBC News
 
This sucks. I just picked up 2001 (the book) because I love the movie. I've just started reading it, but now it will have a much greater meaning to me.
 
And I just reread Childhood's End in the last couple days, too. Most beautifully depressing novel I've ever read. I grew up with him & Issac, Heinlein, Bester, John D. McDonald, Bradbury, all the masters. Poo. I'll tip a glass for him and look at some stars tonight.
 
Looks like I'll be re-watching "2001" or re-reading "Profiles of the Future" again this week, in tribute. :(

He was one of my favorite science and SF authors.

Clarke virtually invented geosynchronous satellites. Think about how much of what you rely on -- the TV shows, the phone calls, the GPS tracking -- goes through satellites, and then remind yourself that he came up with the idea for that.

He will be missed.
 
So long, Arthur.
Crap plastic characters (name one)
But nifty toys and ideas
Rendezvous with Rama... take your own time. ;)
 
"I wasn't like every other kid, you know, who dreams about being an astronaut, I was always more interested in what bark was made out of on a tree. Richard Gere's a real hero of mine. [Arthur C. Clarke]. [Arthur C. Clarke] would be another person who's a hero. The [books] he's created over the years, I don't really [read] it, but the fact that he's making it, I respect that. I care desperately about what I do. Do I know what product I'm selling? No. Do I know what I'm doing today? No. But I'm here, and I'm gonna give it my best shot."
 
Not what I really like to hear at all. Will probably watch 2001 as well in memory of.

"what am I for, what am I for if not to pass another year
what am I for, what am I for if not to wander through the rye
what am I for, what am I for, what am I for If not to die" The Deadly Snakes, Gore Veil

Dec.2007 reflections

Looked pretty healthy in december.
 
Sad news.

A wonderful author.

However, when I think of him, I will always remember 2001: A Space Odyssey, and what it represented and the accuracy of the space part of the film. And of course HAL and his wonderful exchanges with Dave.

RIP.
 
He was a true visionary - a great loss, but what a legacy of work to leave behind.

RIP, Mr Clarke
 
Sad news, but at least he had a good innings.

300px-Clarke_sm.jpg


Good taste in computers ;)
 
Blue Velvet said:
So long, Arthur.
Crap plastic characters (name one)
But nifty toys and ideas
Rendezvous with Rama... take your own time. ;)
Click to expand...

Yep. And those Gentry Lee co-written books are really awful.

But then I'm a bit of a sci-fi heathen. I really don't like Asimov, and am more a fan of Clarke himself than his books. Gimme some Philip K. Dick, Iain M. Banks, Richard Morgan or Neal Asher :)

Didn't know there was a RwR movie on the way. Will have to check that out a bit when I'm out from behind El Corporate Firewall.
 
From CNN:

"COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) -- Even in death Arthur C. Clarke would not compromise his vision.


Visionary author Arthur C. Clarke had fans around the world.


corner_wire_BL.gif



The famed science fiction writer, who once denigrated religion as "a necessary evil in the childhood of our particular species," left written instructions that his funeral be completely secular, according to his aides.
"Absolutely no religious rites of any kind, relating to any religious faith, should be associated with my funeral," he wrote."
read more


Still in death he has principles.
 
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