Lee from Right-Thinking.com is dead.  He was 38. 

This isn't a sappy post.  Truth be told I did not like Lee.  But on hearing of his passing I did feel a loss.

I've been thinking about that over the last day or so.  A lot of people say it as if it's some kind of noble thing.  "To feel a loss."  But really it's a selfish thing, albeit justified selfishness.  You can feel bad for their family, friends, kids, and so on but in the end, when you say you've felt a loss you're talking about what you've lost.  This person was worth something to you and now that they're gone you've lost that.  It certainly sounds cold when you say it that way but that's what it is.

Again, it's completely justified but it's none the less selfish.  The two aren't mutually exclusive. 

So why do I feel a loss.  I didn't like the guy right?  Well Yes, but here's the thing: I did read his blog (when he was the one maintaining it).  In that I feel a loss.  What it comes down to is this: Lee was many things but he wasn't stupid.  I'm not saying his beliefs were right all the time, probably not even most of the time, but he had a reason for having those beliefs and he was skilled at defending them. 

So yes, I didn't like Lee.  If he entered a room I would probably try to leave it.  I'd certainly never want to sit down and talk to him.  But his opinion mattered to me.  It shaped mine and on occasion proved mine wrong.  I would be a lesser person if his blog didn't exist. 

And that is my point.

Lee wrote thoughtful things and in doing so he gave the best of himself to me and to the world.  That's the point of this post.  The Internet, when used right, can allow someone to shed their negative traits and in doing so influence the lives of people who they'd never be able to otherwise.  Even people who dislike them. 

We should all be more like Lee in that way and that is why I feel a loss today.