Sir Arthur C. Clarke:

A beacon of optimism

Sajitha PREMATUNGE

The photograph of Sir Arthur wearing the 'Arthur C. who?' T-shirt is heavily publicized one. Its irony is blatant ignorance especially because there is probably no one in the world - with an average IQ - who does not know who Sir Arthur C. Clarke is. Born in 1917 December 16, Minehead, Somerset, England, UK. He attended King's College, London, obtaining a first class in physics and mathematics.

He is the author of some hundred plus books and over thousand articles and short stories. A geostationary communications satellite (as well as that entire orbit), Asteroid 4923 and Dinosaur species Serendipaceratops arthurcclarkei are named after him. He also shared with Stanley Kubrick an Oscar nomination in 1969 for his screenplay of 2001: A Space Odyssey and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994. These are stats that every Clarke enthusiast would know.Yet there are so much more to him that we know so little about.

On Sir Arthur's first death anniversary which fell on last thursday, 19th March, Nalaka Gunawardene who worked with Sir Arthur C. Clarke for 21 years as his research assistant, attempted to shed light on the real legend. "He was exceptional in so many ways it would be difficult to point out just one" he explained. And said that his high level of optimism even in the face of crisis is unparalleled. In spite of many negative aspects and while many find it easier to believe in the worst Sir Arthur C. Clarke was a beacon of optimism for those who worked with him. "People get cynical with age but Sir Arthur was an exception" explained Nalaka Gunawardene. "He guarded against becoming a cynic all his life and stayed well away from cynics." Gunawardene explained that although people picture him as a larger than life human being looking steadfast into the future surrounded by gadgets, above all he was a good human being. "He had many pets and was very fond of dogs." He was also reported to have chimps and attempted to adopt a leopard cub. He often wrote about intelligent dolphins and primates and the need for conservation of gorillas. He was a long time patron of British Sub Aqua-Club, Sri Lanka Animal Welfare Association, The Gorilla Organization and Earthkind. He never wished to publicize his contributions.The sign at the top of the staircase to his office at Barnes Place - 'Mars 35,000,000 miles' with an arrow pointing towards the heavens is evidence not only for his undying optimism but also his sense of humour. "He was jovial, accessible and possessed an healthy sense of humour." Sir Arthur Clarke believed that humour could deliver the human race. "He always believed that there was no subject one could not make fun of." Often this tendency to make fun initiated controversy.

For example in an interview with Reuters right before the 1996 World Cup, Sir Arthur has told the reporter that 'cricket is the slowest form of animal life' which the reporter misheard as 'the lowest form....' the final article had ruffled some cricket fan feathers. The enraged fans only stopped calling after Reuters carried a correction.Sir Arthur always emphasized that the Vatican should change their stand on birth control, in the mid 90's. Sir Arthur in another interview referred to the Pope as the most dangerous man in the world, because of the Vatican's policy. The Vatican actually laughed this off, but enraged Sri Lankan Catholics - upon only reading the part where the statement in question was made - rebuked Sir Arthur for tarnishing the Vatican's image. His sharp wit was evident in what he wrote and spoke.

Prophet

He never considered himself as a prophet although many of his predictions actually came true during his own lifetime. "He preferred the word extrapolation." He looked at the current state of something and taking into account it's past extrapolated for the future. "He played with scenarios, plausible scenarios.

His background in maths and physics, the fact that he has travelled extensively and was very well connected gave him authority."

But his predictions were always within the laws of physics; given enough time and resources these scenarios would very likely be realized.

Prolific writer

Although he had dabbled in diverse fields as underwater explorer, space promoter and science populariser when asked how he wished to be remembered he often said he wished to be remembered as a writer - one who entertained readers, and, hopefully, stretched their imagination as well." On his 90th birthday in a videoed message he quoted from Rudyard Kipling "...seek not to question other than, the books I leave behind."

When a visiting journalist once asked him about monuments, he said: "Go to any well-stocked library, and just look around..." He took writing very seriously" ever since he gave up on all other jobs in 1950, to make writing his profession.

"His research was extremely meticulous." Gunawardene explained that before Internet, he had made it a habit to refer books and talk to friend who specialized in different fields of study he was not familiar with.

"He was well connected, with friends in high places." Which often permitted him to obtain often classified information. He had great ability to amass imagination, social intelligence and science and a magic ability to engage in narration with amazing economy of words, which could be grasped by anyone explained Gunawardene. "He believed in perfecting a draft many times over, until every sentence was perfect while also using anecdotes, satire and metaphors the total toolbox of a writer." Although a world-renowned writer he always welcomed editorial changes and improvements, "at times from people much younger in experience than him." He worked on a book from day one till its final draft. His last book was The last Theorem, which he finished in the nick of time just before his demise.

Brit but Sri Lankan at heart

Although, contrary to popular belief, he was never a Sri Lankan citizen. Although he never applied for Sri Lankan citizenship he always wished for 'lasting' peace in Sri Lanka, where he lived for 52 years.

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The last book of a prolific writer

The Last Theorem

Sir Arthur C. Clarke’s last book - The Last Theorem - which he managed to finish in the nick of time is about a young Sri Lankan mathematician who finds a short proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem and is hired by the CIA because of the high interest in cryptographic applications of the proof. The plot also contains aliens planning to invade the earth, and a sky hook. Just a few days before he died, on March 19, 2008, Clarke finished reviewing the final manuscript of the novel.

It had taken longer than he had expected, due to his ill health and hospitalization on a number of occasions. In 2005 Sir Arthur Clarke acknowledged to his publishers that he requires a co-author in order to complete the book. In 2006, a US writer Frederik Pohl, was selected as the co-author of this monumental piece of fiction. Sixteenth December marked not only his birthday but also the reading of the last manuscript of The Last Theorem, despite a cracked vertebra.He was hospitalised the very next day and was never discharged. He passed away on March 19, 2008.

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