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Aaron Swartz, Asking For Help, 119 Days Ago

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Re: Aaron Swartz, Asking For Help, 119 Days Ago

#341

Post by anthonyb »

[deleted] wrote: post #333
anthonyb wrote: post #316

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, hopefully the next time that you feel like making a 'meh' comment, you will at least consider whether you're making a positive contribution. Ed made a comment that was pretty harsh, although true given the information available at the time, and is now being singled out by Techcrunch and the rest of the HN community. Of course, in fine HN tradition everybody is now jumping on Ed in exactly the same way that he j…

[deleted]

Sorry, I was using 'you' there as a generic 'whole of HN' thing, not you specifically. I'll edit.

Re: Aaron Swartz, Asking For Help, 119 Days Ago

#342

Post by RegEx »

cstejerean wrote: post #334
RegEx wrote: post #322

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That comment was in reply to > If the feds get their way you'll know exactly where to find him for the next 35 years. I'm asking if people actually knew facts, not some tin-foil hat speculation (even if the tin-foil hat was right on the money).

tptacek didn't appear to question Aaron facing 35 years in jail, he was simply stating that actually "spending" that time in jail is unlikely. See for example another comment from him at http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4529809 Edit: There was nothing tinfoil about it. The indictment was publicly available, and a cursory search of news.google.com also brings up articles like this one http://techland.time.com/2011/…

I'm sorry, but I don't think you're replying to what I'm asking. I was looking for information from back then that sheds light on the severity of Aaron's situation, not just comments of the doubters. However, the stress of this thread is getting to me, and I need to back out. There's so much anger, sadness, and confusion concentrated in one place. I think it's best for me to step away for a couple of weeks.

Re: Aaron Swartz, Asking For Help, 119 Days Ago

#343

Post by Permit »

Dn_Ab wrote: post #198
[deleted] wrote: post #104

[deleted]

In a comment below you state NOBODY KNEW THESE DETAILS AT THE TIME That is exactly why judgement should have been deferred. In the face of uncertainty, given the situation, withholding comment or querying neutrally would have been optimal. That is clear with foresight, not just obvious from hindsight. I did not see that thread the first time but it is the tone and not the words that would be so damaging. Man up . Ver…

YOU STILL DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS.

There was no suicide note. There was no reason given. The closest thing we have is a suggestion from his family, which caused everyone to instantly jump on one of three different bandwagons getting as many people fired and as many laws changed as possible. We have no idea of gauging whether or not that suggestion is correct, so we all read in to things we THINK suggest the reasons for his suicide.

It's ridiculous how so many people here are claiming "You shouldn't comment unless you know about the situation" when knowing absolutely dick-all about the situation right now.

Re: Aaron Swartz, Asking For Help, 119 Days Ago

#344

Post by mpyne »

dyno12345 wrote: post #239
nostrademons wrote: post #227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not entirely certain that Aaron knew he was doing something wrong, or, for that matter, whether he was in fact doing something wrong. It seems he made little effort to cover his tracks and pretty much acted out in the open. And from what I've heard from friends who've met him in person - Aaron was brilliant, idealistic, a nice guy, and hopelessly naive about how the world actually works.

If he didn't think he was doing anything wrong, why didn't he just ask permission?

More to the point, why did he keep taking specific action to evade the feeble roadblocks the admins managed to put up in front of him before he finally just hooked his laptop to a switch? Why did he ignore the Terms of Use statements when he started off on the Wifi MIT network?

Guys, aaronsw was wicked smart, he was undoubtedly at least vaguely aware of there being a Federal law covering "computer crime". It's far easier to believe that he felt he was doing the right thing despite the law than to believe he was completely unaware.

Re: Aaron Swartz, Asking For Help, 119 Days Ago

#345

Post by spinlocked »

chernevik wrote: post #295

I see zero inconsistency between on one day saying that someone should take personal responsibility for their activism, and on another day regretting that this same person took their own life. The notion that Aaron's legal position caused his suicide is an opinion of many people on this board. Despite the numbers of those holding this opinion, it is still only an opinion, and needn't be read as fact for any other ana…

You could perhaps see the consistency also between rallying round a cause and making a difference to the status quo.

These "opinions" are shared by his family, read the statement.

_You_ are problematic.

Re: Aaron Swartz, Asking For Help, 119 Days Ago

#346

Post by wonnage »

Caligula wrote: post #205
[deleted] wrote: post #104

[deleted]

Tptacek, I always know exactly which threads you will post your combative, confrontational, annoying posts before I click on them. You are the drama queen of hackernews.

While I couldn't agree more, I doubt he gives a damn what other people think and it's much easier to just ignore him. Don't feed the troll, right?

Re: Aaron Swartz, Asking For Help, 119 Days Ago

#347

Post by dennisgorelik »

thaumaturgy wrote: post #187
citricsquid wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, but he did assume he was asking for funds simply because he wasn't manning up How can any comment ever be made on the internet about something happening then if every commenter is expected to a) assume they know very little of the situation b) not make judgement c) later be held accountable for what they've said based on information not known at the time? Do people need to start including disclaimers when they co…

I don't understand this sentiment at all. What's wrong with simply not commenting? HN isn't a semi-private coffee shop; this whole post illustrates quite nicely that what is said here is public and long-lasting. Let's try this on for a little more discomfort: what do you think the odds are that Aaron himself read the comments of a few threads posted here about his case? Your entire argument here seems predicated upon…

"Not commenting" means no discussion.

No discussion mean no learning.

Re: Aaron Swartz, Asking For Help, 119 Days Ago

#348

Post by spinlocked »

chernevik wrote: post #281
segfault1988 wrote: post #272

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Dude, stop acting and shut the fuck up. What you said amounts to cyber bullying and it's idiots like you who are setting the spiteful tone in HN comments. So much hate. No matter what other comments here say, you are in a way responsible for his death.

Utter and complete nonsense. Someone offers a thoughtful and considered opinion, and that's "cyberbullying"? Disagreeing with an opinion you hold, no matter how intelligently and reasonably, is "cyberbullying"? Your post could have just stopped at "shut the fuck up". Because that's the essential gist of everything that followed.

I believe he was referring to the top voted post from 4 months ago. We, as a community, did not come around for one of us, instead some of you bashed the guy when he was down, now he's dead. Shame.

Edit: ameliorated ending

Re: Aaron Swartz, Asking For Help, 119 Days Ago

#349

Post by [deleted] »

derleth wrote: post #285
graue wrote: post #247

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Absolutely. This is a perfect example of how restrictive gender norms (or, what some might call "patriarchy") can harm men as well as women, and are something we all need to care about.

> This is a perfect example of how restrictive gender norms (or, what some might call "patriarchy") can harm men as well as women And this is why I hate the term "patriarchy" in this context: It implies men always get the best of it, there are no downsides for males, and therefore we should be dismissive of male problems. I know this isn't what academic feminists think. It is, however, what a disturbing number of peo…

[deleted]

Re: Aaron Swartz, Asking For Help, 119 Days Ago

#350

Post by davemel37 »

edw519 wrote: post #260
[deleted] wrote: post #104

[deleted]

I may or may not have something to say about this, but not here, and not now. Can we please just let the family grieve? We are the family.

I am surprised people have taken issue with the words man up. It's only connotation was that Aaron should pay for his own defense, a reasonable statement.

I am more taken aback by the overall tone implying that Aaron had some golden-ticket-chance-of-a-lifetime...In hindsight, I don't think anyone would have wanted to shoulder his burdens. I don't think anyone would still say he had a golden ticket.

Probably the greatest lesson in empathy I learned is, "Breaking a child's lego ship causes the same pain as sinking an adults real ship." Your actions and words leave an impression on others. That is a responsibility we too often neglect.

Happiness and meaning can only come form within by definition. Looking at others, judging others, being jealous of others are all ways to deflect our own true feelings. what a shame because feeling our own pain is the only way to truly feel anothers.

Look at all the great people who lived on this Earth, Like Aaron Swartz, the selfless ones who put everyone ahead of them, and examine their lives and you will see DEEP DEEP PAIN. It is a difficult reality to accept, but to truly put others ahead of yourself as Aaron did, you must know what it feels like to be persecuted.

If there is one lesson to take out of this story it is to learn to look within yourself and find happiness and recognize that you have it pretty great, in fact you have it perfect. Perfect for you. Don't be so quick to be jealous of others, Dont be so quick to wonder why they get away with everything or why their life is so much better than yours.

Look Within, and Truly Become Happy With Your Lot.

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