Internet activist, a creator of RSS, is dead at 26, apparently a suicide
January 15, 2013
Aaron Swartz in 2012 protesting against Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) (credit: Daniel J. Sieradski/Wikimedia Commons)
Aaron Swartz, a wizardly programmer who as a teenager helped develop code that delivered ever-changing Web content to users and who later became a steadfast crusader to make that information freely available, was found dead on Friday in his New York apartment, The New York Times reports.
At 14, Mr. Swartz helped create RSS, the nearly ubiquitous tool that allows users to subscribe to online information. He later became an Internet folk hero, pushing to make many Web files free and open to the public.
But in July 2011, he was indicted on federal charges of gaining illegal access to JSTOR, a subscription-only service for distributing scientific and literary journals, and downloading 4.8 million articles and documents, nearly the entire library.
Charges in the case, including wire fraud and computer fraud, were pending at the time of Mr. Swartz’s death, carrying potential penalties of up to 35 years in prison and $1 million in fines. …
(More)
RIP, Aaron Swartz by Cory Doctorow
Comments (12)
by It is as if the Federal government murdered me.The Federal prosecutors in Cambridge Massachusetts using their office for a politically motivated witch hunt are to equally to blame. This is typical of the abuse by public officials at the public level.. The
It is as if the Federal government murdered me.The Federal prosecutors in Cambridge Massachusetts using their office for a politically motivated witch hunt are to equally to blame. This is typical of the abuse by public officials at the public level.. These people need to be driven from their positions as being also responsible and held criminally liable for this tragic and unnecessary death..These evil men were about to send this champion of justice and the people to thirty five years for hacking a computer at his university. These government personal are insidiously evil using their positions and powers for personal vendettas and favors to their equally corrupt politicians. This is what to expect when greed motivated corporations are able to put their puppets into positions in responsible positions in an attempt to control the Internet.
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http://www.scribd.com/doc/60362560/Aaron-Swartz-criminal-case-cover-sheet
I recommend that every reader contact;
Board of Bar Overseers
99 High Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
(617) 728-8700
And ask that the Federal Prosecutor;
Stephen Heymann Bar number 558456
be dis-barred for misuses of office. These villains should never be placed in a position of responsibility.
Read more: Swartz dies in apparent suicide; former Cambridge resident faced 35 years for MIT hacking – Cambridge, Massachusetts – Cambridge Chronicle & Tab http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/x1926908670/Swartz-dies-in-apparent-suicide-former-Cambridge-resident-faced-35-years-for-MIT-hacking#ixzz2IFg9D1IJ
by It is as if the Federal government murdered me.The Federal prosecutors in Cambridge Massachusetts using their office for a politically motivated witch hunt are to equally to blame. This is typical of the abuse by public officials at the public level.. The
ALSO:
http://act.demandprogress.org/letter/aaron_justice
by cindy mason
We have not yet progressed to recognize insults to the mind as infliction of harm. Hopefully we will in the not too distant future. Ray’s book will help pave the path for this, and there will be less suffering as a result.
by Scott
Cindy, I have often wondered if anyone else thought as I do, with regard to the power of memes (and words in general) to harm others. Thank goodness you said something that I too have believed in, for quite some time. Alas, you are correct; humans are too primitive and stupid (including gullibility), to realize this.
by Ian
The prosecutors should be charged with murder.
by Dennis R.
This reminds me of Alan Turing’s suicide. Hounded to death by the authorities who were intimidated by (and envious of?) his obvious brilliance.
by izumi3682
he was about to be sent to prison for a long time– a DEATH sentence would have been more merciful and he realized this. Rest in peace mr Aaron.. :(
by deadalus
rip and may the Swartz be with you…
by Phaere
Suicide … I don’t believe it.
by Bri
This case has to make you stop and wonder. It’s his first offense and he was respected in society. He had to have some money for his defense and would probably be able to generate enough support that others would take up his cause. It’s such a radical decision to take ones life. A terrible tragedy and loss. My heart goes out to his friends and family.
by Visitor
Apparently he had been battling depression for a long time, and even blogged about it publicly. The indictment was not likely the cause in and of itself.
by Marcos Marin
got it on my rss