His loss was great when it happened, but I think its felt all the more acutely in times like these, when crass, bought-and-paid-for politicians across the right (and sadly even within the left at times) spew mindless drivel and attempt to shroud science in an unseemly cloak of doubt.
Science is its own self-correcting mechanism and the influx of politicians and asshats like the Kochs into the discourse only cheapens it and does nothing to advance human knowledge and understanding. What those two fucktards and the bastards who are either like them or simply worship them do is make all of us less than we could be and all in the name of increasing already ridiculous fortunes of material wealth.
Its refreshing to know that 100 years from now, no one will remember either Charles or David Koch as anything beyond a foot note to history, but men like Hawking, or Sagan or Pauling or Hubble will be known to history for the knowledge and understanding they brought into the light during their lives. Its the difference between contributing to something greater than one's self and exploiting everyone around you to enrich yourself. On their deathbeds, I just hope this realization crashes down on both of the subhuman brothers Koch...but even if it does not, I take solace in the fact that theirs is just a cautionary tale of a life wasted and opportunity lost.
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