Aaron Swartz, cofounder of reddit and internet activist, commits suicide at 26

[ocean size]

This is a big loss to the internet and access to information in general.

http://boston.com/metrodesk/2013/01/12/web-activist-aaron-swartz-charged-with-hacking-mit-dies-age/Jm42qokgXHUFYcZyzHMxmI/story.html

Aaron helped create RSS when he was like 14. A year earlier he created a early Wikipedia-like free encyclopedia (it didn't take off, but he was f'ing thirteen! ). He believed in open access to academic/scientific information, which arguably is a good thing for everyone except publishing companies profits. Last year he was charged with hacking MIT servers, downloading 4 million JSTOR articles (many of which were subscription only) to share for free.

Probably contributing to his decision to off himself was the charges - they threw the book at him and he was facing 30 years and $1 million fine.

Who knows what he could have accomplished, but it seemed like he had a bright future and was out to make the world a better place and had the skillset to do it.

 

[anaconda]

I read some discussion (on reddit, no less) that suggested he may have faked his own death.

Has his death been confirmed?

 

[Big Sissy]

I'm trying to care but it's not happening

 

[Josh]

I read some discussion (on reddit, no less) that suggested he may have faked his own death.

Has his death been confirmed?

I'm pretty sure the coroner issued a release. They don't fool too easily.

 

[Haoledude]

I'm trying to care but it's not happening

You cared enough to post in this thread.

 

[HARRISON_3]

Never heard of him.

 

[Dogstarman]

They always go after the obvious guys who are trying to make a difference. The FBI wants to catch the real criminals but really can't. The result is they try and hammer the guys like Aaron "to set an example". It is fucking ridiculous.

 

[Slick_36]

Sounds like a prodigy. I hate to find out about him this way. How dare someone wish to exchange information freely?! I hate what we allow in this world.

 

[Gref]

That sucks. I don't frequent reddit but it has to be a huge deal for everyone over there.

 

[ocean size]

reddit a few years ago may have cared, these days it is 14 year olds posting cat pictures. I had to search on there to find anything about it.

Yeah the system in place for disseminating scientific publications is due for a change. Federally funded research at least has some major changes coming. The big universities like MIT are essentially profit driven entities these days- something like open access could improve efficiency in science for everyone but there is too much profit to be made in the current model.

 

[Slick_36]

reddit a few years ago may have cared, these days it is 14 year olds posting cat pictures. I had to search on there to find anything about it.

Yeah the system in place for disseminating scientific publications is due for a change. Federally funded research at least has some major changes coming. The big universities like MIT are essentially profit driven entities these days- something like open access could improve efficiency in science for everyone but there is too much profit to be made in the current model.

And that is sickening. The greed in society today is staggering. I just don't understand it.

 

[HuntersCreed]

The American government is making last ditch efforts before it officially shits itself and goes full socialist.

 

[Slick_36]

The American government is making last ditch efforts before it officially shits itself and goes full socialist.

Socialist? You really think it's turning socialist? You have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[ShoelessRye]

JSTOR dropped any charges, and MIT wasn't too keen on pushing it but the US Government went overcharged him ridiculously because there is little the Corporate owned government fears more than brilliant people who cannot be bought.

Swartz was a key figure in the SOPA pushback last year as well.

 

[aldeniro78]

Sad to know anyone ended their own life, but never heard of the guy.

Reddit is a turd of a site.

 

[Big Sissy]

I'm starting to like this guy

 

[Juventud]

I feel like this somehow could have been prevented if Reddit had a better layout.....

 

[Rhood]

He was fired from Reddit half a decade ago.
Please stop giving this man credit for a project he left from ages ago.

It's like giving Joe Shmoe credit for creating Microsoft even though he was fired before it became popular.

It's obviously sad to see anyone commit suicide, but you guys are giving him way more credit than he earned.

 

[ShoelessRye]

He was fired from Reddit half a decade ago.
Please stop giving this man credit for a project he left from ages ago.

It's like giving Joe Shmoe credit for creating Microsoft even though he was fired before it became popular.

It's obviously sad to see anyone commit suicide, but you guys are giving him way more credit than he earned.

If I'm thinking of the right guy, he was fired on purpose - he didn't like the corporate job. I believe he developed something that was bought/combined to create the Reddit as we know it today and then was purchased by a corporate entity. Also involved in creating RSS as a 14 yr old and was a major player in Stop SOPA/PIPA last year. But keep hating on the kid to make you feel better about yourself.

 

[bad seed]

Does reddit generate a lot of money?

I dont know how these big web sites make the cash they do. I have never clicked on a web ad, and most people I know dont either.