Re: Arthur C. Clarke, 1917-2008

"Tim McDaniel" <tmcd@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message 
news:frpes2$epc$1@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Brief obituary of Sir Arthur at
> <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7304004.stm>
> No cause of death listed.

One advantage of writing, is that a person can become a mentor, even if 
you never meet them. This isn't to say that I wouldn't have enjoyed the 
op****tunity to meet Mr Clarke, merely that writing allowed him to touch 
and inspire many more people than just those he met. I'm glad to know 
that Arthur C. Clarke was aware during his life that he was mentor to 
many, as shown in this quote from an address to the US Congress in 1973. 
"I'm sure we would not have had men on the Moon if it had not been for 
Wells and Verne and the people who write about this and made people 
think about it. I'm rather proud of the fact that I know several 
astronauts who became astronauts through reading my books."

Arthur C. Clarke was clever, interesting, inspiring, funny, and he 
strived to live a good life and to make the world a better place. I a 
world like ours full of market economies and advertising, the word 
"great" may see some overuse. Regardless the word is worth using here. 
Arthur C. Clarke was a great man.

I will strive to continue to take inspiration from him, even though he 
has passed.

I tried to think of a song to listen to while thinking about his 
passing. I chose "Space****p Superstar" by Prism and cried during the 
synthesizer solo at the end.

Karl Johanson