Death is in the Neighborhood
I am shocked by the number of deaths of famous people over recent days.

Just yesterday and today:

Edward Said - Palestinian theorist who advanced the concept of Orientalism.
Franco Modigliani - A Jewish Italian Nobel Laurate who escaped Italy following the Racial Laws and developed a model for how people save for old age.
Robert Palmer - Singer of great favorites such as "Addicted to Love" and "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On" (what was up with those goofy girls in his videos, though?).

I know I may come across as geeky by knowing these names, but the world has lost some great minds.