RachCon One

…because it was pure speculation. Not. Good. Journalism.

I spoke to Mum, and she said Markus did have some kind of genetic problem.

I really don’t know much about genetic diseases: I get inheritance and all that stuff from biology A level, though. if anyone knows a lot about what kind of thing Markus might have worried about… it would help me to understand, I think.

I never knew that Markus had health worries. I think I need to ask Mum.

I’m just about to leave for work, then I’m off to Cambridge for the lecture this evening.

We got another note about Markus this morning. I’ve been playing one of the games he helped design a lot this week. What with that and the video of him, it’s like he’s still around.

The production company got back to me with some video of Markus at the Game City talk he gave.

It’s really strange, seeing him there talking away.

I met up with Susan O’Leary at Chromologica today. Get me, I’m totally a proper journalist!

Speaking of Journalists… Matt and I have kinda made up. Following Matt’s apology I’m also going to the Prometha gig with him to meet Markus’ old boss Duncan Woodburn.

Is anyone going to be in Cambridge this weekend?

You cheered me up, Bicks, thanks.

I’ve been talking to people who used to work with Markus, at a company called Chromologica. Hopefully they’ll help me understand a bit more about his work.

A mini update 4 u. I phoned the company that made the Routesgame to try to find out what Markus was doing in his last few weeks. They totally couldn’t be arsed, but they did give me the number of the woman he had that tiff with. Probably won’t lead anywhere, but I’ll give it a go.

Phonecall with Katherine Ryan

Hope you’re all good.

xxx

Matt Blacker has blatantly called my uncle a bio-pirate on his blog. His idea of a ‘balanced piece’? What total crap. Typical journalist, just out for the big headlines. How long has he researched this? Ooh, about one week. No way enough time to get anything like enough evidence. And anyway, I know my uncle and there is no way on earth he ever stole anything from anybody.

GAH!

xxx

Matt Blacker, the journalist who Markus missed the appointment with, has written about Markus in his blog. He talks about this organisation called DEPAA, who ‘exist to halt the exploitation of indigenous tribes’ (according to their website).

Apparently the DEPAA connection means Matt can accuse Markus of bio-piracy, which is basically nicking plants from tribes in dirt poor countries, taking them back to the West then using them to make medicines that the tribes could never afford.

No way would Markus have been involved with anything like that. Anyone who knew him would say the same. He was about the most upstanding moral guy you could meet. He was passionate about genetics, but had no interest in material wealth. None. He just wouldn’t have done it.

I’m not letting this one lie.

xxx