RIP Ray Bradbury, 1920-2012

               So, I am going to interrupt my recent trends of writing about sports and excessively inward looking patriotism American-style with a post about a wonderful author who contributed much to the rich body of American literature, but left us just yesterday.

            Bradbury was the author of legendary novel "Fahrenheit 451" and "Something Wicked This Way Comes", among many other works, and generally contributed his great intellect in various fields. He often was lumped into the category of science fiction writer, although he himself rejected the label, saying that "Fahrenheit 451" was the only science fiction book he had written, and that it was based on a world that he thought might just become reality some decades in the future. He wrote many fiction works, and also some pieces on culture and the arts.

            He was very skeptical of modern technology and felt that people in our modern society relied far too heavily on machines and computers, including cell phones and other mobile devices, to the point that he had refused to allow his works to be accessible online or for download, although he conceded to this trend late last year.

            Many of his works have made it to television or the movies, and have been highly influential in general.

            His written works aside, his presence was felt far and wide, evidenced by the many notable distinctions that were associated with him. He had an award named after him, and also had a Hollywood Star – a rare accomplishment for a writer. Also, he even had one asteroid named after him – called the "9766 Bradbury", and another, "Dandelion Crater, was named in reference to one of his books "Dandelion Wine". He won the "Ordre des Arts et des Letters" medal in 2007.

            My own words are poor in describing this man and his life and work, and can only go so far. So, let me conclude this piece, fittingly enough, with the words of Ray Bradbury himself. Here he is quoted from his most famous work, "Fahrenheit 451", and the topic, fittingly enough, is death. He describes how everyone needs to leave something behind, and no one can accuse Bradbury himself of not having done so. He leaves some great written works that will live on, though he himself is now dead. Also, he has left us a symbolic garden of thought and possibilities that should be a pleasure to visit, time and time again. Here is the quote:

            "Everyone must leave something behind when he dies, my grandfather said. A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched someway so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when people look at that tree or that flower you planted, your there."