The void of losing someone you don't know

Like many people here, I have been admiring Aaron Swartz from a distance for the past two years.

Why didn't I ever shoot him an email saying "I like what you're doing, thanks for doing it"?

I am disappointed in myself today.

I had never even heard of Aaron Swartz before today. But hearing about his death hurts. The first I saw that that he was a confounder to Reddit. But what really got me was discovering that at the age of 14 he participated in writing RSS, and that he was an advocate for the freedom of information. If I look at his actions before this week, I see a string of things that I look up to, and a caliber of accomplishments that I would like to have myself.

It still seems unclear what all the details are behind his action, but I find it deeply troubling that enough pressure exists to drive someone as impressive as this to commit suicide at the young age of 26.

When I take a few steps back and look at the bigger picture of the world, I see many people in positions of power who either wield their power for themselves, or with apathy, and only a few people in positions of power who attack the problems of the world with the primary intention of humanitarianism.

Reading about Aaron, I feel like he was one of those people who cared more about the rest of the world than anything else. And what really hurts is seeing someone like this, only 26 and with enormous potential, decide to take their own life instead of continue in the world with whatever circumstances.

I have yet to shed tears but I've come close several times. RIP.

There is also an emotion that I'm feeling now, for which I am a bit ashamed: here is someone who had some principles that are really similar to mine. Someone who had the guts to act according to those principles, and who faced the consequences of those actions. Some who did what I did not, and probably will not. He makes me feel complacent with some of the evil I see and don't act upon.

"But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that even though I do not know you, and even though I may never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you. I love you. With all my heart, I love you." -Valerie