[krapp]

I think it's less morbid soap opera and more propagandist soapbox. Aaron Swartz has been turned into a martyr for a cause. Ian Murdock, as well. We can expect any technologist suicide to be called a murder at the hands of the state from now on, and for conversation to be steered towards polemics against US policy at every conceivable opportunity, when their names are brought up.

I do believe the subjects (copyright law, police brutality, etc.) are worth discussing, but I also believe the politics around them make it difficult to discuss them rationally. People tend not to invoke Aaron Swartz to start conversations, so much as attempt to end them, or polarize them, or steer them into the same tedious and unproductive circles time and again.

I guess we're lucky there's no way to spin Marvin Minsky's death that way. If he'd gotten so much as a traffic ticket before the end, people would be implying his cerebral hemorrhage was caused by police batons.

[Chris2048]

two, seemingly valid, examples, and "We can expect any technologist suicide to be called a murder at the hands of the state from now on". Your'e the one being hyperbolic.

[krapp]

I think it's a correct assertion, although I'm aware of my hyperbolic tone.