Author of 'People Power' and friend to all believers in technology for social good has died suddenly
The UKauthority community is one of many to be reeling this morning at the news of the sudden death of writer and social campaigner Dan Jellinek. His family has informed us that Dan died at the weekend from a cerebral haemorrhage at a shockingly young age.
Dan was a pioneer writer on the topic of e-government, reporting for many newspapers and online services including UKauthority.com. However he was always more than a journalist. He was passionate about the potential of technology for good, particularly for disabled people, and about the need to bridge the digital divide. He played an active part in numerous initiatives aimed at bringing the benefits of technology to those who needed it, not just those who could afford it.
His 2013 book 'People Power' (Bantam Press) is a clarion call to engage intelligently in the democratic process.
He wrote: "The best way to understand the huge, messy problems our politicians face is to walk up to the edge of them - and take the plunge. Not everyone will want to be active in politics, but that does not mean you cannot be a more active citizen. You will never be able to make things perfect, because things can never be perfect. But one of the most precious things that democracy brings is the freedom to think, talk, persuade and act in a way that might make things better.
"The rest is up to you."
Now it really is up to us. Our deepest sympathies to Gillian, Frida and Ezra.
