RIP Arthur C. Clarke

[kenrbnsn]

He passed away in Sri Lanka at 90. 

 

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/books/03/18/obit.clarke/index.html

 

Ken

[unsider]

Sounds like he had an accomplished life, although I don't believe I've been introduced to any of his work.

 

r.i.p

[kenrbnsn]

Have you heard of the movie/book "2001 -- A Space Odyssey"?

 

Not as flashy as the Star Wars movies, and it feels dated now, but it was a major film when it was made and paved the way for the Star Wars and Star Trek movies.

 

Here's a tribute posted on YouTube.

 

Ken

[teng84]

i don't know this person but i'd say his lucky enough its kind a hard to reach that age.. I believe the average age is 60

[kenrbnsn]

That depends on the area of the world you're looking at. In the USA, 60 is now considered to be middle age, not old. For instance, in my family, my father is the youngest of 5 brothers. He just turned 88 in January. The second oldest of the brothers passed away last Fall, 3 months after his 100th birthday. The oldest died about 10 years ago at 92 and the second youngest is 95. The middle brother was the only one to die in his 60's -- 31 years ago. My mother is 85 and her brother is 87. I'm 56 (almost 57), my brother is almost 59 and my sister is 63.

 

In 2007 the life expectancy in the US was between 77.5 and 80. In Canada it was over 80. See http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Life_Expectancy_2007_Estimates_CIA_World_Factbook.PNG

 

Ken

[zq29]

That depends on the area of the world you're looking at. In the USA, 60 is now considered to be middle age, not old. For instance, in my family, my father is the youngest of 5 brothers. He just turned 88 in January. The second oldest of the brothers passed away last Fall, 3 months after his 100th birthday. The oldest died about 10 years ago at 92 and the second youngest is 95. The middle brother was the only one to die in his 60's -- 31 years ago. My mother is 85 and her brother is 87. I'm 56 (almost 57), my brother is almost 59 and my sister is 63.

 

In 2007 the life expectancy in the US was between 77.5 and 80. In Canada it was over 80. See http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Life_Expectancy_2007_Estimates_CIA_World_Factbook.PNG

 

Ken

 

That was an eye-opener! For some reason I was under the impression that you weren't older than 30 :S

[eddierosenthal]

When i was reading sci fi  he was one of the most important sci fi writers we read.

One of  my favorites was 'Childhood's End'.

[unsider]

That depends on the area of the world you're looking at. In the USA, 60 is now considered to be middle age, not old. For instance, in my family, my father is the youngest of 5 brothers. He just turned 88 in January. The second oldest of the brothers passed away last Fall, 3 months after his 100th birthday. The oldest died about 10 years ago at 92 and the second youngest is 95. The middle brother was the only one to die in his 60's -- 31 years ago. My mother is 85 and her brother is 87. I'm 56 (almost 57), my brother is almost 59 and my sister is 63.

 

In 2007 the life expectancy in the US was between 77.5 and 80. In Canada it was over 80. See http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Life_Expectancy_2007_Estimates_CIA_World_Factbook.PNG

 

Ken

 

Wow, that was informative, although I don't think I'd want to live over 70 unless I'm living like Hugh Hefner (sp?). 

[revraz]

This movie was on last weekend.  I am still trying to figure out the ending.

 

Have you heard of the movie/book "2001 -- A Space Odyssey"?

 

Not as flashy as the Star Wars movies, and it feels dated now, but it was a major film when it was made and paved the way for the Star Wars and Star Trek movies.

 

Here's a tribute posted on YouTube.

 

Ken

[kenrbnsn]

The ending is explained better in the book...

 

Ken

[effigy]

"There is hopeful symbolism in the fact that flags do not wave in a vacuum."

-- Arthur C. Clarke