Jim Gray may be dead. He may not be dead; he may be in Margaritaville, consuming cheeseburgers in paradise on a daily basis. The story of his life, though, and the story of the search that his many, many friends & former colleagues undertook, are stories just waiting to be lyricized. There’s a Don McLean of the tech sector out there somewhere… let me know if you hear news about the ditty that’s sure to come.
You read about stuff like this only occasionally, and it makes you a little sad, and a little glad. Sad because, with all the technology the world has to offer (some of which was developed / fostered by Jim Gray’s work), people still find a way to get lost at sea. Glad because, with all the technology the world has to offer, people CAN still find a way to ‘get lost at sea’. There is a value in being able to get off the grid; you’re sure his wife would not agree in Jim’s case, but of all the people this has happened to, you would guess that Jim would see that value very readily.
Today’s your first day off as you’re in between jobs. Aside from blogging, you’re off the grid. And if no one’s reading, you may as well be cutting down trees in the forest. In either case, see the value in it.
If Jim Gray is out there, wish him well. Also wish him the wisdom to get in touch with his family, one way or another, to provide closure. Simultaneously dealing with the possibilities of his continued life or his months-old demise will be debilitating.
Read more at wired.com.
