Aaron Swartz, a computer programmer who helped create RSS – the open blog syndication standard – and who helped launch Reddit, took his own life on Friday.
His funeral is today in Highland Park, Illinois.
Swartz was facing the prospect of a very long time in prison because of his alleged attempt to download the JSTOR academic archive database, ostensibly to make it available for free.
Swartz was very much a good guy. His prosecution is an example of what happens when the justice system loses its moral compass. He will be very much missed.
A memorial website has been set up.
More:
- CIS Blog: Towards Learning from Losing Aaron Swartz, by Jennifer Granick
- HuffPo: Aaron Swartz Dead: MIT Complicit In Web Activist’s Suicide, Family Claims
Tags: Aaron Swartz
