I wasn't familiar with her work, but browsing through her comment/posting history just now, she came across as a very considerate and kind, intelligent person (and a fellow cat lover to boot).
I recognize her name, but I didn't know she was an author. Either way, it is sad. Condolences to her friends and family. posted by yhbc at 6:28 AM on March 2, 2008
(Friends and family of Ms. Kagan who may be reading this thread: the . that a lot of people are posting is our way of showing respect for the departed. It stands for "a moment of silence.") posted by Ian A.T. at 6:39 AM on March 2, 2008
Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. I also didn't know about her life outside of MeFi but I do know that we fixed her computer and she was very good natured about it. posted by jessamyn(staff) at 6:44 AM on March 2, 2008
She was nice to me from the very beginning of my posting to Metafilter from my old science-fiction bookstore, and after I found out who she was, I walked upstairs and found one of her books. I've wondered where she was for quite awhile.
Our loss is heaven's gain. We'll miss you, Janet! posted by Lynsey at 9:47 AM on March 2, 2008
Wow, I had no idea she was an author and a Hugo award winner to boot. A sad loss. posted by mathowie(staff) at 10:03 AM on March 2, 2008
That is sad. And she was too young, and I've adjusted standards of age as I myself get creakier (she was younger than my mom, anyway). Condolences to anyone here who knew her. posted by kittens for breakfast at 10:19 AM on March 2, 2008
When people say "My condolences, etc." in a thread in which the intended recipient is not present, what does that mean, exactly? Actually sending a note offering condolences to grieving family and friends is a noble--or at least civilized-- gesture, but just making general condolences sort of atmospherically available on the off-chance anyone swings through to collect them seems incredibly empty and pointless to me. This may seem unnecessarily pedantic in a memorial thread, but I find it distracting.
Perhaps that's why the "." has become the default, as much as it seems to bother some people. There's nothing really to say, and no one appropriate to say it to, but here we all are.
Janet seemed like a classy lady, it's good to know her suffering has ended. posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 1:50 PM on March 2, 2008
This may seem unnecessarily pedantic in a memorial thread
This may seem unnecessarily pedantic in a memorial thread
Yes, it does.
I think the assumption, and one that has been true in the past, is that the loved ones of members may come through and it's nice to know (I'd think) that someone is thinking about the people who are still around in addition to those who we've lost. posted by jessamyn(staff) at 2:03 PM on March 2, 2008
Feel free to delete my comment then; obit threads are usually in the blue, so in this case bringing it up in MeTa wasn't exactly an alternate option. posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 2:12 PM on March 2, 2008
I would say that obit threads of a member are special cases. One, they do belong more properly on the grey than the blue, and two, it is more proper to express personal condolences on them than on obit threads of someone famous that you didn't know, and whose friends and family are not likely to be reading MetaFilter to find those personal expressions. posted by yhbc at 2:30 PM on March 2, 2008
Yes, I remember more than one case when friends and family members either posted in an obit thread to express their appreciation or asked a member to pass on their thanks. This isn't some hidden cul-de-sac no outsiders know about. posted by languagehat at 2:48 PM on March 2, 2008
Holy cow - I met Janet Kagan in 1987 through a college friend. She and her husband were very friendly, very genial people. When I met her she shot me with a red pop gun called a "K-Gun". Her husband used them instead of business cards. The reason she shot me is that she and her husband had a policy - people were more willing to accept the gun if they had been shot first, but if you shot an unarmed person, the Kagans would arm them. Consequently, they had to buy the guns by the case. I left my gun behind and sent her a letter asking if I might get a replacement. She sent me one with a letter with a simple note that said, "What would Robert Heinlein have said?"
oh, I am sorry! Janet was one of the first people from mefi to write to me with encouraging words about my posts ... she sent a few emails over time - maybe 3 or 4, always very kind, supportive, and flattering. I was tickled because she said she liked to read blort. But that was years ago, and she hadn't been around mefi much. I do remember she was active in NaNoWriMo.
Here are a few posts from around the web that give some little vignettes - she was highly regarded by many and apparently touched a lot of lives:
Janet, I am sorry you died. My mom died on Friday too - maybe you could both look out for each other because she was a very kind person too. I think there's a good chance you might be on the same star. posted by madamjujujive at 8:11 PM on March 2, 2008 [2 favorites]
Damn. RIP, Janet. posted by holgate at 8:43 PM on March 2, 2008
A major Star Trek geek, I read all those "Classic" Star Trek books when they came out 20 some years ago. Uhuru's Song was one of the best, and one of my favorites. A great talent. posted by FfejL at 2:34 PM on March 3, 2008
We exchanged emails a few times a while back. About what, I can't really remember, but I do remember that she was really nice. I'm sorry to hear that she's gone. posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:18 AM on March 4, 2008
posted by popechunk at 4:55 AM on March 2, 2008