Unlucky, 1 - 11 - 13

Lordy, Lordy,

I hope this doesn't establish a pattern for the year:

Luckily, we learned with 12 21 12

that numbers and their significance

may or may not 

be something to get our knickers in a twist about.

So I'll try not to take this idea that an entire year

numbered 13

could be bad luck,

but

bad stuff is happening, 

forcing people

to either stick their fingers in their ears and pretend it's not relevant

or twist the facts to suit their needs

or to look for a real answer.

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Well, I don't mean to make too strong of a parallel

between the suicide of a brilliant man

and controlling guns,

though there is something to be said 

for the fact that yes, I think Aaron Schwartz was chastised

for being too smart.

And sadly, we live in a country where 

being smart is not to be trusted.

And in that same country,

being armed is valued.

For some reason, the idea of anti-intellectual folks

armed with guns

makes me (a college teacher)

really frightened.

I'm going to have a lot more to say about Aaron Schwartz's death,

I think,

but for now I'll say:

something like this was bound to happen.

Aaron Schwartz may have understood,

innately, and early,

that ownership of texts 

is an archaic value.

Knowledge is to be shared,

and if we want to create an intelligent public,

we have to get it out there.

Aaron Schwartz knew that.

May he Rest In Peace.