Arthur C. Clarke: 1917-2008
Published on Mar 18, 2008 at 9:31 pm.
1 Comment.
Filed under science fiction.
Today, I read that the famous science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke has died. I wrote about him a few months ago just after his 90th birthday. For about a half century he had lived in Sri Lanka. His health has been poor for some years, too. Though his name has been listed as coauthor on several books in recent years, I suspect that other people wrote them with some guidance from Clarke. Those books read somewhat different from his earlier works.
Clarke was one of the big names in science fiction, and his work influenced a great many others. But, Clarke was more than just a science fiction author. He was a science visionary and futurist. With a degree in math and physics, Clarke had the scientific background to think through his science fiction. He tried not to write things that would be too implausible. For those of us with science backgrounds, that makes his work a joy to read.
But, that science background, together with the creativity needed for a good fiction author, make Clarke more than just a science fiction writer. He thought through his future visions, and many of the things that he proposed in fiction eventually became facts. For example, Clarke is often credited with the proposal to use geosynchronous satellites for communication purposes. These are satellites that orbit Earth at the same rate that Earth rotates. Such a satellite could appear to “hang” over a particular spot over Earth’s equator.
I am a bit saddened to hear that he is gone, but he had been in very poor health for some years, so it is not really a surprise. But, it rather makes me feel old to realize that so many of the authors that I read growing up and even in graduate school are now deceased.
-Astroprof
(Image credit: Arthur C. Clarke Foundation)
John Schneider on March 20, 2008 at 7:07 pm: 1
I was also moved to post about Clarke’s passing. Profoundly influential.
On a different but related note, I really enjoy your blog. Great topics, excellent writing, and obvious passion for the subject matter. I have been subscribed for a few weeks now.