Hi - I have joined just for this one point so I could leave a few respectful comments regarding Doug's passing. I hope that is ok. I know, it's two years ago, but for what it's worth:
I met and knew Doug in San Diego around 1999-2002. He introduced me to interesting folks and I remember doing some work once in conjunction with one of these intros. We also discussed classical music and his computer capabilities and experiences and business and some philosophy and religion.
Someone wrote in this thread that he was a fine classical pianist and indeed I think he was. Somehow early on we got on the topic of a Schubert Impromptu (there are probably some that are relatively easy to play at a basic level, but to me this wasn't one of them... I think maybe Op. 90 No. 3, but I am not sure) and I think I lent him some of the sheet music and he came back within days with a cassette recording of him playing it at a very high level. I wouldn't say that I am much of a player and not an expert judge, but he seemed really good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_z9oSn-eIMSchubert: Impromptu in G flat Op. 90 No. 3
I left SD but kept in touch with him a bit, every few years, and I think he went through a time living in Utah and at some point in California. I think economically he didn't have a lot of money and spent time honorably working some fairly desultory jobs to make ends meet, and it was a downer knowing that he was struggling in some ways, but his voice was generally strong with the intellectual enthusiasm I remember. I'd say he contributed to my thinking in some ways and is missed.
In retrospect, one possibly unifying theme is that even though we did not come from the same backgrounds nor have the same views on some important matters, in my mind (and perhaps not even accurately... I apologize if this is mis-portraying what Doug thought or did... I can almost already hear him pointing out where I have inadvertently not got something straight) I think there was some common ground for Doug, myself and others, in the struggle to think for oneself, to assert one's right to do this, to live in a way that seems best.... not necessarily to reject family or ideas and offers of advice or community from others, but in the end to take responsibility for the reality of guiding one's own ship, and making a living, and doing what one can.
Perhaps most or all of us have to struggle with drawing boundaries between what we truly independently come to think and believe (if we get that far) and how we want to live, and then and what our communities and friends and families believe and how they think it is best for themselves and perhaps others to live. Anyway, these are my own words and I wouldn't presume to speak for Doug and I'm not quite sure what he'd say on my point as to a basic unifying theme. I am sorry that he's gone, and thanks for the opportunity to write down some thoughts in this forum.