Sunday, March 23, 2008

Thanks Arthur C Clarke

I just wanted to send a quick shout out and say thanks to famed sci fi writer Arthur C Clarke who died this past week at the age of 90. He was a great, ingenious writer who worked prolifically for many years. Most famously known for 2001, and its sequels I personally never got into that specific series. What I did LOVE though was Clarke's Rama series. Rendezvous with Rama, and its sequels are some of the best science fiction I have ever read period. There's even been talk of a film version of the project, but its been stuck in development hell for a while now :( Aside from that, I really enjoyed one of Clarke's other famed novels, Childhood's End. Which explored a really interesting very 'real world' type of story of what if benevolent and mysterious aliens came to earth to be our friends, but hid a great secret... I'd definitely recommend you check both of those books out, or if your into end of the world scenarios, there's always his famed Hammer of God story, but I feel that's a bit dated at this point.

Surprisingly, or perhaps not, Clarke is also widely credited as being part of the team that initially proposed / invented the modern communication satellite. Work he did while in the RAF back in the 40s that garnered him a Nobel prize nomination in 1994.

Have a look at this video Clarke made a few months ago. Its obviously made, as a time capsule of his thoughts. The reflections are sentimental but appreciated. This is really a man I'm glad we got a chance to hear.



Clarke will definitely be missed, he was a talented and unique voice. Thanks for everything.
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