I had been away from the list for a few days because I had moved across town. When I opened up my hotmail inbox I thought for a moment that I was misreading a post heading about Sasha being dead, but very sadly I was not. I am in a state of shock and disbelief.
I have spent many hours pouring our Sasha's colorful website and the innumberable links that branch off from it. His website fired my imagination and gave me a greater understanding of the great men and women of science. I loved his list of organizations which he thought worth investigating.
I remember reading his brief bio where he told of his "coming to America" experiences and his desire to live in a better society. I felt though, that he was a better man for having a foot in two different worlds.
I smiled at his reminisces about serving in the Russian army and being stuck in the middle of a desert with the rest of the guys in his tank unit because some idiotic commander felt they should be there. I can see how he could bond with others who had served in their own nation's militaries.
I had never met him in person. I did have a few brief correspondances with him. I was touched that he would offer me work in a private email on behalf of his company, even though I had to tell him I really didn't have the skills they were looking for! I was still touched that he would think of me.
I was proud of him for having as an extropian, achieved a position of power as the head scientist for his company. He held out to us all the offer to help get business ideas off the ground! I hope some of you had what it took to accept his offer.
This is so hugely unfair, though I suppose no one said life would be fair. I am horrified to hear that Sasha was not signed up for cryonics. He may have thought the singularity would come to be before it was needed for him. I don't know.
I just want to say I believe there is at least the chance that Sasha has past on to a new existance and that his intellect and personality has not been extinguished. He may be marvelling right now at the afterlife and feeling very surprised! I hope so.
I always wanted to meet him in person. Perhaps some day. My heart goes out to those who knew and loved him. Eugene, I am so sorry for your loss.
sincerely,
John Grigg
Get your FREE Email at http://mailcity.lycos.com
Get your PERSONALIZED START PAGE at http://my.lycos.com
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Jul 27 2000 - 14:11:00 MDT