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Well, for one, alive he didn't generate this much press even though he was very popular. Now this is being debated virtually everywhere. Not saying that he kil

• rdl 14y ago
  There are definitely cases where suicide for a cause has been an effective strategy. It's still tragic. I don't think it's a justifiable strategy (particularly in Aaron's case -- he could have WON his court case. Even if he lost, and spent a year or a few years in jail (potentially out on appeal), he wouldn't have been dead, and could have continued the fight. However: Mohammed Bouazizi in Tunisia potentially kicked off the entire Arab Spring. There are ~500 self immolations by Buddhist monks in Asia who were part of getting the US to withdraw from the Vietnam war, etc. Maybe a hundred Tibetans in protesting China.
  • Pwnguinz 14y ago
    > Even if he lost, and spent a year or a few years in jail (potentially out on appeal), he wouldn't have been dead, and could have continued the fight. How optimistic of you. The chargest totaled over 50+ years in prison[0][1]. [0] http://lessig.tumblr.com/post/40347463044/prosecutor-as-bully http://lessig.tumblr.com/post/40347463044/prosecutor-as-bull... [1] http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120917/17393320412/us-government-ups-felony-count-jstoraaron-swartz-case-four-to-thirteen.shtml http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120917/17393320412/us-gov...