I don't know about you nor can I or will I speak on the behalf of the real Mr. Swartz, but I've thrown away plenty of opportunities, made plenty of mistakes and done tons of dumb things. I just hope that when my time comes those mis-steps aren't what I'm remembered for.
The parent article post is dead - it's been clearly demonstrated that this man has a great deal of people on the internet capable of defending him after death.
>>> It was only because this guy had academic and tech industry protectors who backed their precious manbaby that JSTOR and MIT were reluctant to pursue the issue themselves. <<<
I would argue that you are not a critic as the above statement is not a reasoned stance or observation; it is vitriol.
Giving respect to someone's life irrespective of the differences you may have had is not about right or wrong. No, it's more basic than that; it's about compassion.
Your points? You choose a username of a deceased person to disparage them and then expect to be talked to with civility? You are an archetypal troll.
(I am suggesting this for everyone, not just you. Nothing personal. I am replying to your post because you summed the problem up so well.)
- He didn't found Reddit
- He didn't invent RSS
- He did more than just download too many JSTOR articles
Until I read that post, I believed all of those things, as that is what I have read so far.
Speaking ill of the dead isn't classy, but facts are sacred.
Sigh... what about compassion? Are you yourself immune from it?
Is there not even the smallest space in your heart for even a modicum of compassion at this time for parents who have lost a son? For an utterly heart-broken and grieving family? For friends who have lost a colleague? For our very community itself?
Search the fibers of your soul: is this caustic vitriol the only thing of substance that you can find within you? Can you not muster even the smallest warmth of compassion for others who are suffering?
To be so jealous of a dead guy that you would use his name in such a manner and to be such an attention seeker that you would dis-parage Aaron with one liners.
Pathetic.
From what I've read in the positive eulogies, I'm sure Aaron Schwarz would have appreciated a balanced conversation about his life.
I'm sure he would have, but this isn't it. Unless you've forgotten to include your sarcasm tags.
Judging by your throwaway account and incendiary comments, it seems you would know a thing or two about bias.
The expert witness cited established his credentials while presenting his viewpoint. I'm sure his assertions could be disputed, but he was upfront about his background and professional opinion.
You, on the other hand, are currently an anonymous Internet troll.
Incidentally, the "expert witness" said a bald-faced lie, that Aaron did not try to hide his tracks. It is not a "disputed assertion."
I'd be very interested to see citations for this evidence that Aaron Schwartz did try to disguise himself, and the details of that disguise. That evidence does change the discussion, and it is important that we see what you are talking about.
And I know him as much, or as little, as you, so I don't idolize or hero worship him -- I'm fairly new to this whole conversation. I wouldn't presume that he would be my hero any more than I would assume he is your nemesis. I'm just not as ready to denounce someone I know so little about. I am not saying that your points are incorrect, it is just that they don't acknowledge that those that DO indeed know him well have chosen to put their faith and support in him, regardless of whether or not he was as unaccomplished or as malicious as you say he was.