COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) -- Arthur C. Clarke, a visionary science fiction writer who won worldwide acclaim with more than 100 books on space, science and the future, died Wednesday in his adopted home of Sri Lanka, an aide said. He was 90.

Clarke, who had battled debilitating post-polio syndrome since the 1960s and sometimes used a wheelchair, died at 1:30 a.m. after suffering breathing problems, aide Rohan De Silva said.

Clarke moved to Sri Lanka in 1956, lured by his interest in marine diving which he said was as close as he could get to the weightless feeling of space.

"I'm perfectly operational underwater," he once said.

CNN

There goes a gigantic influence on my life with his 'hard' sci-fi. R.I.P my friend and thanks.

Oh !!!

Well, he did live to a ripe old age even suffering from PPS. I celebrate his life! I don't know if he's Irish or drinks but here it is Arthur.

A bit late but my own thoughts anyway, which I shared with augie in a PM.

Clarke was one of only two sci-fi authors I could really connect with, the other being Azimov through the 'Foundation' books.
I first became aware of this 'prophet who lived in Sri Lanka' when I was still at school. At first I only thought he made TV shows (I harboured the same shameful misconception about the late Carl Sagan) but as I expanded my reading into Huxley and Orwell it was only a matter of time before I stumbled across him (most of his works were in the Sixth Form library). Watching 2001 for the first time (alone @2AM) and sitting back trying to make sense of it just did me in! (hence the pen name).
I visited Sri Lanka when he he was still alive and daydreamed of meeting him but alas it was not to be.

So, to Arthur Charles Clarke, may you rest in peace, those left behind have more than enough to remember you by.

Dave, are you still there Dave? I can't see you anymore. Daisy, daisy...

And I thought nobody would notice!

DaveBowman wrote:

And I thought nobody would notice!

DaveBowman wrote:

Azimov through the 'Foundation' books

Yup, the trilogy was great! Indeed a milestone for sci-fi. I might just pull them out of the basement and hope that they're not too musty smelling, I haven't read them in 30 years! Should almost be like a new read.