RIP: Sir Arthur C Clark

I caught the news last night on my cell phone - British author Sir Arthur C. Clark died yesterday at the age of 90.

Honestly, I'm upset. Clarke has long been a favorite author of mine, ever since I read his brilliant short novel 2001, and numerous short stories and novels that he's penned over the years. 2001 is by far one of my favorite science fiction movies of all time, and the book is just as good. Of all his short stories, I don't think that I can pick out a favorite - there are so many good ones.

This is a huge blow to the Science Fiction community - Clark has long been regarded as one of the biggest figures in the genre, with his expertise and sheer brilliance when it came to what the future might hold. Clark was one of the giants, right up there, if not surpassing Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov and Frank Herbert. There will never, ever be anybody else like him, or one with his stature.

In addition to his Science Fiction, I've come across Clark a number of times when I've been reading about the development of the space program, to various capabilities in the development of Rockets and a proponent of space travel. So far as I know, he's been active in space exploration and in science fiction.

May the stars never go out for him.