How to measure impact? In physics, Newton's second law is what is normally used: The net force is equated to the product of the mass times the acceleration. The initial impact may be easy to compute, but the ripple effects, those that truly change things, are harder to gauge.
Such was the effect of Christopher Hitchens on me; the initial impact was enormous, but I could never have foreseen the ripple effects that were to follow. I first read Hitchens about nine years ago. If my memory serves me, it was a review of Hitchens' 'Why Orwell Matters?' that led me to Hitchens. Orwell was, in my mind, the greatest political essayist of the early 20th century, hence naming a blog in his honor. Hitchens' book was a revelation, a book that simultaneously showed Hitchens's own great reverence for Orwell, but also supplied many keen insights into Orwell's writings and life. Once I had started down the road of Hitchens, there was no turning back. I devoured all of his writings, watched every video I could find and eagerly awaited his next column.
His clarity, intelligence and breadth of knowledge was overwhelming to me, and led me to a number of books, writers and ideas that I may never have found. As I look at my bookshelves I see books on a wide range of subjects that are there thanks to Christopher Hitchens. A short mention or quote in an article would lead me down a glorious path of knowledge that he had mined, but that still contained gold.
I didn't always agree with his views, particularly those on abortion or even the conduct of the Iraq War. The brilliance of the man was that when one disagreed with his views, one gained a greater understanding of what was one against and had to reach deeper to fortify one's own position. If one was on the same side, it was like having a massive armored division behind you, ready to blast the enemy into oblivion.
To say he was the natural heir to Orwell is entirely unoriginal, but nevertheless true. He stayed true to his principles and, like Orwell, confronted the hypocrisy of the left and right. The thoughts and principles that he stood for and that most inspired me are summarized in this paragraph from 'Letters to a Young Contrarian':
"Beware the irrational, however seductive. Shun the "transcendent" and all who invite you to subordinate or annihilate yourself. Distrust compassion; prefer dignity for yourself and others. Don't be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish. Picture all experts as if they were mammals. Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will supply plenty of time for silence. Suspect your own motives, and all excuses. Do not live for others any more than you would expect others to live for you."
I will greatly miss Christopher Hitchens. I will miss his writings, his opinions and his arguments. Most of all I will miss his ability to make ME think. The world is a little more dim without him.
Thank you Mr. Hitchens. Thank you very much.
