Adrian Lamo Has Died

Adrian Lamo, mostly known as the hacker who broke into several major companies computer networks, and indirectly reported Chelsea Manning, has died — cause unknown thus far. The news was posted on Hacker News, of course, and I found one the comments — true or not — left there interesting.

I had a car, while my friend did not, and Adrian had traveled via transit, so I spent the day with them hopping around town. At one point, we were downtown grabbing food in one of the larger complexes — Adrian breaks off for a second and asks a retail store employee a bunch of questions about working there, saying he was just hired at the cafe. We then ended up going into what was clearly an employee-only area — GUYS WE AREN’T SUPPOSED TO BE HERE WHAT IF WE GET IN TROUBLE OH GOD — we duck into a fire escape, hike up to the upper level where he picks the lock to the door with roof access, and there we are, highest point in the city. After a few minutes of me suggesting that MAYBE we go back down since this was cool BUT REALLY WE SHOULD GO, Adrian told me I’d miss the sunset if I kept worrying.

It was dumb. I’m sure I could’ve been arrested. But watching the sunset with the two of them from the top of that building remains one of my favorite memories.

I did not know at all about him, although his name kind of rings a bell, probably for seeing it while perusing news.

§