December 18, 2007

• Terry Pratchett's Brain

  Terry Pratchett, one of my favorite authors ever, and one of the most popular and humorous writers alive, has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease.

  The news came out a few days ago, but I'm just getting to it now.  This makes me sad beyond words.  No, really it does.  There are lots of terribly things in the world right now to be sad about.  Things much, much worse than one man's bad news about old age.  There are many men, women, and children who won't live to see old age because actions that my government has supposedly taken on my behalf even though I didn't want them to.

   But, you see, to me, reading Pratchett is one of those things that makes them more bearable. I'm not too proud to take an analgesic once in a while.

  Even in the face of the news, he's still himself, still funny (italics mine).

  "Frankly, I would prefer it if people kept things cheerful, because I think there's time for at least a few more books yet )" he wrote in his message. "I know it's a very human thing to say 'Is there anything I can do,' but in this case I would only entertain offers from very high-end experts in brain chemistry."

   

  • 2:31 pm
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