Wau – Kondolenz

"We must respect the rights of the dissenters, even though they might be idiots or harmful. We have to pay attention."

After a short but severe illness - death came as release

Wau Holland
Herwart Holland-Moritz
Co-Founder and Senior President of the Chaos Computer Club

*20.12.1951   +29.07.2001

Wau, you were always at least one step ahead of us.

We lament a philosopher, a freethinker, a visionary who conceived technology not as an end in itself but as a service for communication between people.

Full of energy and always alert to the authorities, laws and data collectors you have demonstrated the chances and dangers of the information age to many people through your sometimes radical opinions and activities.

An artist of the words, you were putting things upside down. A gifted speaker, you could express your critiques in a clear, pointed and humorous way. One may account oneself happy to be digitally reprimanded by you.

You did what other people were too lazy to do: first you observed and then you consistently pleaded for your belief without ever losing your critical distance or becoming corrupt.

You had charisma, you could convince and you were a role model for many people and other intelligent life forms. You have inspired our lives, inspired us to use computers in a meaningful way. You have influenced our weltanschauung in a positive and critical way.

Your thoughts, your ideas, your energy, your stamina, your straightforward struggle for freedom of opinion, your truthfulness have given us an extended view on this world, on its threats and possibilities.

Thank you for everything, beloved Wau.
We keep on working, there is so much left to do...

Family & Friends Chaos Computer Club The Global Village

We meet friday evening at HAL2001 to remember Wau.
The funeral will take place in a couple of weeks in the town of Marburg.
Condolences and backgrounds at https://wauland.de.
We ask for any material about and by Wau for a collection.