There’s just no way to come up with the right words. I am reminded of the reality of my own mortality, and I just don’t think anything I can say does it justice.
I never got in touch with Marc, though I listened to his podcasts with James K…

I am compelled, however, to comment on a disturbing explosive diffusion of what I find to be rather insulting “information” in the blog world, best characterized by the following headline and text making exponential rounds like wildfire:

“Warning ! Blogs could kill – Marc Orchant dies because of Blognation

… However the interesting twist is that Marc Orchant was killed by this behaviour of Blognation.”

“Amazing read .. just proves that blogs wield so much power, money and death (not necessarily in that order) in today’s world.”

Frankly, I find that “information” to be insulting to Marc’s memory and legacy. it is distasteful,nasty, and inappropriate at this or any other time … it distracts people from the real issue – that Marc was, and is, a wonderful, loving, inspirational and caring friend, father, husband, colleague, and mentor. That is what should be left on the e-pages of the net, period.

I am certain that Marc would not want that dis-information to overtake the wonderful things that have been written about him over the past week. You may not agree with my reaction to this “news,” but nonetheless I am asking that you consider writing something to de-fuse it, and try to end its diffusion. I believe that Marc would want that.

Editor’s Comment: Dr. Steve, I completely concur with what you’ve said. I too find it incredibly distasteful that people have chosen to take this tragedy and mis characterize the events in the way you’ve noted. I don’t condone such a description nor have I made one like it myself. I think it’s in incredibly bad taste that people are taking this terrible tragedy and taking the opportunity to sensationalize it. I hope that other bloggers choose to exercise more discretion and better taste and focus instead on the real issues; the loss of a man of stature in the technology community and the unfortunate situation that he and the other blognation bloggers experienced at the hands of Scam Sethi. Hopefully in the future they will avoid coming to impossible to prove conclusions about the connection between these two sets of circumstances.

I loved reading your Eulogy to Marc. It helped me feel a little more connected within the grieving process. As I have said before, this virtual grieving thing really sucks.

I had heard him talk of OST in very loving terms. Thanks for everything you have done to help us all feel the strength from Marc’s extended community.

Jonathan

It is so difficult to comprehend that you have left us, but I can tell you that your loving and sweet spirit was surely present at your memorial service today.

God bless you and your family and Shalom my friend…

Chuck