A year ago, I wrote (in a rather unfortunate context):
I've compiled links to a few articles which I read about him soon after his death here:
(This post is by Nandita Saikia and was first published at Indian Copyright.)
I have no idea what exactly caused Aaron Swartz to commit suicide beyond being reasonably certain that the possibility of jail-time does nothing to alleviate depression, assuming that depression was the cause.A year after his death, I'm no more capable of being articulate than when I first heard of his having died.
I do, however, believe Aaron Swartz's death raises issues regarding the kind of society we want to build and what an appropriate response to 'data liberation' is, amongst others. Personally, it has caused me to consider the role of lawyers in the proprietary knowledge economy in ways I have never done before, and there are questions which I have to answer for myself (and will). I cannot, at this time, address any of these issues though — I'm still far too upset even though I had no connection to Aaron Swartz at all.
I've compiled links to a few articles which I read about him soon after his death here:
"These are not people who are conscientiously and fairly upholding our federal laws." — @JohnWDean wrt #aaronsw http://t.co/BhT5PMAz
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 26, 2013
Neelie Kroes' thoughts on Aaron Swartz, and the benefits of openness — European Commission http://t.co/AfRfn4Eq • Respect.
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 25, 2013
Orin Kerr on Aaron Swartz http://t.co/PuF81bkl and http://t.co/s7ZV3CFN | James Boyle's response: http://t.co/2sSkE507
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 19, 2013
Aaron Swartz's FOIA Requests — that's 'Freedom of Information Act': http://t.co/st0VS8RF
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 16, 2013
Of Aaron Swartz, open access and #PDF tributes: http://t.co/66WZUfu9
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 15, 2013
Remembering Aaron Swartz: Commons man | The Economist http://t.co/LRvHlFIv
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 15, 2013
'Aaron wasn't simply as a champion of social connectedness. He was that, as well as a hardheaded fighter for justice.' http://t.co/pYK7Vtzh
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 15, 2013
"Whether or not the impending trial contributed to Swartz's death,....the case itself was a complete farce."—@mmasnick http://t.co/iIYg9FoF
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 14, 2013
Aaron Swartz now symbolizes the debate on how aggressively govts shd pursue criminal cases against those freeing info http://t.co/Fui52C50
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 14, 2013
Here's @susiebright on Aaron Swartz's suicide and her account of how the US Justice Dept operates: http://t.co/KpuSolHc
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 13, 2013
The way @aaronsw was treated was about systemic power & making him an example, not justice says @zephoria. http://t.co/oh1BnRgo
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 13, 2013
The expert witness on Aaron’s side of US vs Swartz, @alexstamos, explains Aaron's actions: http://t.co/v3ORYPmk
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 13, 2013
Quinn Norton, Aaron Swartz's former partner and close friend, publishes moving tribute to the internet activist: http://t.co/MY83AjbD
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 13, 2013
Aaron Swartz had a deep impact in forming a culture in the internet, one that translated into real life and Reddit: http://t.co/fi3tBeAF
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 13, 2013
Official Statement from the family and partner of Aaron Swartz speaking of prosecutorial overreach and against MIT: http://t.co/boi0upHl
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 13, 2013
Remember Aaron Swartz by working for open society and against government abuses | Dan Gillmor http://t.co/4QV8IrWj via @AtulChitnis
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 13, 2013
With immense talent & strong passions, @aaronsw tended to attack probs head-on, defying authority & convention if reqd: http://t.co/f9a2Dkwk
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 13, 2013
Aaron, RIP. "There is no way to express the sadness of this day," as @lessig says. http://t.co/a2nLeX74
— Nandita Saikia (@nsaikia) January 12, 2013
(This post is by Nandita Saikia and was first published at Indian Copyright.)