Aaron Swartz - Extraordinary People Changing the Game

Thanks to: www.thextraordinary.org/aaron-swartz

WHY AARON SWARTZ IS EXTRAORDINARY

Dedication, passion, perseverance, and a never-ending desire to help his fellow man. These are just some of the words we can use to describe Aaron Swartz, a hero who fought for the freedom of information, even when it cost him his own life. And even when all the odds were stacked against him, Aaron kept on keeping on, knowing that all his work and effort will never be put to shame.

Aaron Swartz was a computer programmer, author, and internet activist who became famous for his fight against the “Stop Online Piracy Act”. A genius and prodigy like no other, Aaron greatly contributed to the development of many of the things that we enjoy today in the online world such as the RSS, Reddit, Jottit and others, at an age where many of us would still be playing video games and outdoor sports. As an activist he was very influential, to the point that even after his death, his legacy ensured that the movement to free information was going to move forward.

ONE OF A KIND: THE GENIUS OF AARON SWARTZ

Aaron was really a person like no other. He was a prodigy, someone who possessed massive potential and had a great future ahead of him. In fact, as a testament to his remarkable intellect and prodigious skills, he won an ArsDigita Prize at the age of thirteen for developing a web application that is still being used today. He was a research fellow at Harvard University, and his influence was such that he became one of the leaders who successfully fought against the Stop Online Piracy Act.

A PERSON OF PASSION AND DEDICATION

Many who had the privilege of working with Aaron would tell you just how passionate he was when he set his eyes on doing something – it was like he was pouring his whole heart and soul into it, and this is why he became so successful even at a young age. Lawrence Lessig, the founder of Creative Commons, once said of Aaron in an interview:

“Every time you saw Aaron, he was surrounded by five or 10 different people who loved and respected and worked with him.”

THE WILL TO FIGHT: AARON’S UNYIELDING ATTITUDE

Even when all the odds were working against him, Aaron continued to persevere. This is most probably why he lasted two years against the seemingly overwhelming might of those who constantly persecuted him through arrests and charges, wanting to keep him silent and discourage him from fighting for the freedom of information. In the midst of all the trials and tribulations, Aaron moved forward, keeping his eye on the goal that someday, everyone would be able to access the information that could make this world a better place to live in.

Aaron’s life, no matter how short it may have been, was not wasted. His actions and words continue to stir the hearts of millions of people today, and his legacy is the increasing desire of the global population to fight for the right to freedom of information. It was a short life, but a life well lived for Aaron Swartz.

“Aaron had an unbeatable combination of political insight, technical skill, and intelligence about people and issues. I think he could have revolutionized American and worldwide politics. His legacy may still yet do so.” – Cory Doctorow on Aaron Swartz

10 REASONS WHY AARON SWARTZ IS EXTRAORDINARY

1. Aaron Swartz is the founder of Demand Progress, an organization dedicated to the freedom of information online.
2. He was among the key figures in the fight against the “Stop Online Piracy Act”.
3. He was involved in the development of the famous web feed format RSS at fourteen years old.
4. He won the ArsDigita Prize at the age of thirteen for creating his first web program.
5. He fought to promote freedom of information in spite of facing numerous seemingly insurmountable obstacles in his life.
6. He was inducted in the Internet Hall of Fame for his contributions to the online world.
7. He was a significant in the success of the companies Infogami, Reddit and Jottit, two of which he helped establish.
8. He was a member of Creative Commons, a well-known organization founded by Lawrence Lessig, at only age fifteen.
9. His activism greatly influenced millions of people not just in the United States, but around the world to fight for their right to the freedom of information.
10. He was a research fellow at Harvard University at only twenty-four years old.