Sir Arthur C. Clarke dies at age 90

ftpaddict · 03-19-2008, 06:15 AM

Fans of science fiction literature (or even cinema) should already be familiar with the name of Arthur C. Clarke. After all, this is the man who gave 2001: A Space Odyssey and all its successors to the world.

Clarke passed away today, 19 March 2008, at the age of 90.

Clarke was the unlikely oracle in the science world. He's credited with dreaming up the geostationary satellite (the kind that delivers satellite television or radio to us). He's given us Clarke's three rules of scientific prediction:

1.) When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.
2.) The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.
3.) Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

The third and final of these rules has been quoted and requoted endlessly.

Clarke was an author with few peers. The list of his acolades stretches for miles and includes the rank of Knight Bachelor in the British honours system.

I'd hope that many of you are already familiar enough with the geat contribution of this author to feel the deep sting of his parting as I have. If not, I'd strongly encouage each of you to take this opportunity to discover the works of the man who helped shape both science fiction and science reality.

Rest in peace, Arthur C. Clarke. You will be dearly missed!

source - deviantART news

ftpaddict · 03-19-2008, 01:08 PM

I see we don't have (m)any Science Fiction fans on these forums. Ah well...

OniFactor · 03-19-2008, 01:17 PM

just saw this thread.. what a shame.. :-(

Rickster · 03-19-2008, 02:48 PM

Saw this earlier on CNN ... What a great mind. He will be missed.

**barondla** · 03-22-2008, 06:53 PM

He will be greatly missed. One of the best science and fiction thinkers. Really had a grasp of science. The world is now a little poorer.
thanks
barondla

G M Fude · 03-22-2008, 09:03 PM

A great author who, through the wonder of his writing, planted in me the seed of a life in science.

My favourite quotation, on extraterrestrial life: "Two possibilities exist: Either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying."

Matthew Roberts · 03-22-2008, 09:08 PM

the only true "peer" of his I can think of would be Issac Asimov; they were both real dyed-in-the-wool geniuses

OniFactor · 03-22-2008, 09:34 PM

Originally posted by Matthew Roberts

the only true "peer" of his I can think of would be Issac Asimov; they were both real dyed-in-the-wool geniuses

....and Heinlein. sorry, but.. heinlein's work speaks to me more than Asimov's, for some reason

ve2vfd · 03-23-2008, 07:02 AM

Quite a loss for us sci-fi fans, and for everyone else who do not realize how much of their lives were influenced by his ideas and writings.

Pat

Peter Zack · 03-23-2008, 07:08 AM

I heard about this on the radio earlier this week and it was a sad day. Another great one gone....

03-19-2008, 06:15 AM	#1
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Sir Arthur C. Clarke dies at age 90 Fans of science fiction literature (or even cinema) should already be familiar with the name of Arthur C. Clarke. After all, this is the man who gave 2001: A Space Odyssey and all its successors to the world. Clarke passed away today, 19 March 2008, at the age of 90. Clarke was the unlikely oracle in the science world. He's credited with dreaming up the geostationary satellite (the kind that delivers satellite television or radio to us). He's given us Clarke's three rules of scientific prediction: 1.) When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. 2.) The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible. 3.) Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. The third and final of these rules has been quoted and requoted endlessly. Clarke was an author with few peers. The list of his acolades stretches for miles and includes the rank of Knight Bachelor in the British honours system. I'd hope that many of you are already familiar enough with the geat contribution of this author to feel the deep sting of his parting as I have. If not, I'd strongly encouage each of you to take this opportunity to discover the works of the man who helped shape both science fiction and science reality. Rest in peace, Arthur C. Clarke. You will be dearly missed! source - deviantART news

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03-19-2008, 01:08 PM	#2
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666 Original Poster	I see we don't have (m)any Science Fiction fans on these forums. Ah well...

03-19-2008, 01:17 PM	#3
OniFactor Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Binghamton, NY, USA Posts: 643	just saw this thread.. what a shame.. :-(

03-19-2008, 02:48 PM	#4
Rickster Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: SE Idaho - Rocky Mtns Photos: Gallery Posts: 580	Saw this earlier on CNN ... What a great mind. He will be missed.

03-22-2008, 06:53 PM	#5
barondla Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: midwest, United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,714	He will be greatly missed. One of the best science and fiction thinkers. Really had a grasp of science. The world is now a little poorer. thanks barondla

03-22-2008, 09:03 PM	#6
G M Fude Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 439	A great author who, through the wonder of his writing, planted in me the seed of a life in science. My favourite quotation, on extraterrestrial life: "Two possibilities exist: Either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying."

03-22-2008, 09:08 PM	#7
Matthew Roberts Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bertram Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 584	the only true "peer" of his I can think of would be Issac Asimov; they were both real dyed-in-the-wool geniuses

03-22-2008, 09:34 PM	#8
OniFactor Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Binghamton, NY, USA Posts: 643	Originally posted by Matthew Roberts the only true "peer" of his I can think of would be Issac Asimov; they were both real dyed-in-the-wool geniuses ....and Heinlein. sorry, but.. heinlein's work speaks to me more than Asimov's, for some reason

03-23-2008, 07:02 AM	#9
ve2vfd Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montreal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,433	Quite a loss for us sci-fi fans, and for everyone else who do not realize how much of their lives were influenced by his ideas and writings. Pat

03-23-2008, 07:08 AM	#10
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	I heard about this on the radio earlier this week and it was a sad day. Another great one gone....