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Comment by todayiamme | Hacker News Reader

I'm not sure what is more disturbing; the fact that someone is capable of disparaging a human being who has passed away and is incapable of self-defence, or the fact that some people apparently agree with the diatribe as witnessed by the upvotes.

I don't know about you nor can I or will I speak on the behalf of the real Mr. Swartz, but I've thrown away plenty of opportunities, made plenty of mistakes and done tons of dumb things. I just hope that when my time comes those mis-steps aren't what I'm remembered for.

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> I'm not sure what is more disturbing; the fact that someone is capable of disparaging a human being who has passed away and is incapable of self-defence, or the fact that some people apparently agree with the diatribe as witnessed by the upvotes.

The parent article post is dead - it's been clearly demonstrated that this man has a great deal of people on the internet capable of defending him after death.

Dying does not give you immunity from criticism.

To quote you;

>>> It was only because this guy had academic and tech industry protectors who backed their precious manbaby that JSTOR and MIT were reluctant to pursue the issue themselves. <<<

I would argue that you are not a critic as the above statement is not a reasoned stance or observation; it is vitriol.

Giving respect to someone's life irrespective of the differences you may have had is not about right or wrong. No, it's more basic than that; it's about compassion.

Do you actually have anything that actually addresses my points?

"my points"

Your points? You choose a username of a deceased person to disparage them and then expect to be talked to with civility? You are an archetypal troll.

So stop feeding the troll. Downvote and/or flag and move on.

(I am suggesting this for everyone, not just you. Nothing personal. I am replying to your post because you summed the problem up so well.)

Honestly? I'm a bit speechless that someone would behave in such a manner. I do not wish to engage in a conversation with you as what you are doing simply isn't humane. Neither can I or will I speak for Mr. Swartz, as I did not have the fortune of knowing him.

You don't have any points, just bile.

I disagree. The post contradicts a lot of what we've been told were this man's accomplishments:

- He didn't found Reddit

- He didn't invent RSS

- He did more than just download too many JSTOR articles

Until I read that post, I believed all of those things, as that is what I have read so far.

Speaking ill of the dead isn't classy, but facts are sacred.

"Dying does not give you immunity from criticism."

Sigh... what about compassion? Are you yourself immune from it?

Is there not even the smallest space in your heart for even a modicum of compassion at this time for parents who have lost a son? For an utterly heart-broken and grieving family? For friends who have lost a colleague? For our very community itself?

Search the fibers of your soul: is this caustic vitriol the only thing of substance that you can find within you? Can you not muster even the smallest warmth of compassion for others who are suffering?

Wow. Such childish behavior.

To be so jealous of a dead guy that you would use his name in such a manner and to be such an attention seeker that you would dis-parage Aaron with one liners.

Pathetic.

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