Aaron Swartz (Nov 8, 1986 - Jan 11, 2013)

we've lost another tech genius today

Aaron H. Swartz (Nov 8, 1986 - Jan 11, 2013)

was an American computer programmer, writer,

political organizer and Internet activist

He began involving in the development of

web feed format RSS, website framework

web.py and the social news site Reddit

in 2010 he became a research fellow at

Havard University's Safra Center for

Ethics. He founded the online group

Demand Progress, known for its campaign

against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)

On Jan 11, 2013 morning, Swartz was found

dead in his Crown Heights, Brooklyn apartment

by his girlfriend. While there are memorial

website issued a statement, saying 

"He used his prodigious skills as a programmer and

technologist not to enrich himself but to make 

the Internet and the world a fairer, better place..."

Swartz was eulogized by his friend and

sometime attorney, Lawrence Lessig, who

called Swartz's prosecution an abuse of

proportionality, saying further

"For remember, we live in a world where the 

architects of the financial crisis regularly dine 

at the White House—and where even those brought 

to 'justice' never even have to admit any wrongdoing, 

let alone be labeled felons. In that world, the 

question this government needs to answer is why 

it was so necessary that Aaron Swartz be labeled a felon."

the aftermath statement by Swartz's father

reportedly "outraged by the university's

handling of the matter, believing that it

deviated from MIT's usual procedures.

"Aaron was killed by the government, and

MIT betrayed all of its basic principles..."

- said Robert Swartz -

Rest In Peace, Aaron Swartz.

(Nov 8, 1986 - Jan 11, 2013)