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Christopher Hitchens dead at 62
gbooster
Member UncommonPosts: 712
Christopher died yesterday.
He was one of my favorite authors, a great voice of reason in this age of unreason.
"Letters to a Young Contrarians" is one of my favorite books and I highly recommend it to everyone.
I am going to miss his column in Slate and Vanity Fair.
Post your favorite quotes or books/articles of his if you were a fan.
Here is one of my favorites, "That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence."
Comments
Sorry, I haven't gone as far as to buy any of his books (mostly watched him on TV), or jot down any noteworthy quotes. Life sometimes seems too short to do everything I might like to. However I do remember his striking me as a very sad person. And perhaps someone puzzled or overwhelmed by his own self loathing? For example I have some memory of his apparently being a vehement communist in early life, and then an arch conservative later? A homosexual at one point, and then a gay basher.? An alcoholic? But I'm not really certain on any of this (and I'm not going to look it up).
But yes - a very droll, intelligent, and interesting person. He kind of reminded of an English version of William F. Buckley. Maybe with a little Noel Coward thrown into the mix.
"Beware the irrational, however seductive. Shun the 'transcendent' and all who invite you to subordinate or annihilate yourself. Distrust compassion; prefer dignity for yourself and others. Don't be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish. Picture all experts as if they were mammals. Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will supply plenty of time for silence. Suspect your own motives, and all excuses. Do not live for others any more than you would expect others to live for you."