Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela — born 18 July 1918 — December 5, 2013
Just crossing all over Twitter and cable news. What an amazing life he led. Not much in the way of details, although news sites were noting increased activity and that his family was at his “deathbed,” earlier this evening South African time.
This is a man who could contribute to the world in so many ways were he still around.
I know that mortality is objectively good in our ability to create new knowledge, b/c people will tend to cling to what worked, once they have a history of making something work.
Nonetheless, even in the one area where it excels, producing intellectual and technological progress, mortality can really have a crappy impact sometimes.
Nelson Mandela’s life is proof that one individual, sometimes, truly can make a world of difference and change history.
He was a true hero, he was loved by millions of people and he won’t be forgotten.
A great man, a great life and a great legacy of inspiration and change and making this pale blue dot a better place.