David Rakoff, Essayist and 'This American Life' Contributor Has Died
Source: The Atlantic
David Rakoff, a writer known for his funny, cynical essays and frequent appearances on This American Life, has died at 47. He had been battling a malignant tumor since 2010.
Before devoting himself to writing fulltime, Rakoff worked in publishing. At this time, he befriended Ira Glass, then a producer at NPR's Morning Edition. When Glass went on to create This American Life, he invited Rakoff to read his deadpan essays on the show. Along with David Sedaris, Rakoff would help establish the show's distinctive voice. Rakoff also began pursuing a career as a prolific freelance journalist for the publications like New York, The New York Times, and Salon. He wrote three books of essays, Fraud, Don't Get Too Comfortable, and Half Empty, and last year, he was awarded the Thurber Prize for Humor.
Read more: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/08/david-rakoff-essayist-and-american-life-contributor-has-died/55644/
R.I.P. David.
Your legion of fans from This American Life will miss your distinctive voice and fierce intelligence.
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... which is kind of odd, because he always came off as somewhat melancholy and world-weary. But there was always a playfully absurdist aspect to everything he did, which is right up my alley.
I'll sure miss him, too. 
Sometimes the more you know, the less you know.
Also, I think the more experience you have as a writer, the harder it is to forget the massive ordeal you're about to embark upon. So just getting started can become hard.
Anne Lamott, in Bird by Bird, talks about giving yourself permission to write "shitty first drafts" (and second and third and fourth...). That, for me, has always been the biggest hurdle. I almost have to hypnotize myself to turn off the ever-present mini-klook wearing the green eyeshade and wielding the blue pencil.
Here's a clip from The Daily Show of him explaining that he found the tumor while writing a book on why pessimism was good. Of course, he makes this hilarious:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-october-14-2010/david-rakoff
Peaceful passage, Mr. Rakoff. You will be sorely missed.
What a smart and funny man and what a loss.
Peaceful passage to your dear cousin. Perhaps he's already run into Rakoff in the great beyond and they're have a good cynical laugh together.
