R.I.P. are letters that I'm certain Hunter S. Thompson would not want anyone to pin on him for his afterlife. Rest? Peace? Yes, Hunter had those things, just not in the traditional sense many people would assume. And if one can't live an afterlife the same as one lived life, than is an afterlife worth living? So as the Spirit of Mr. Thompson rages on, so also rages the effects of his techniques in the world of journalism today.

Brilliance. That word somehow stays affixed in my thoughts as I read articles and stories that were laid out by Hunter, whether it be from his early Rolling Stone works to his "Hey, Rube" on-line sports quips, the good Doctor opened up the doors to the reporters office and screamed,"Look! Its not brain surgery people!". He realized that one could be trained to be a journalist, shown to ways of conventional reporting. Media outlets could mold those newcomers into the type of reporters and writers that the editors not only wanted, but could easily rein in if need be. Hunter showed that a talented, free-thinking writer could still make a path in his profession, and all the while driving his editors insane.

He brought a new look to Journalism. To accurately report on an event, one should become part of the event to get a true grasp of that event relevance to our society. If a reporter can't really explain the events importance, how can that importance be relayed to the public? He showed us to not worry about the work or subject matter itself, just get into it, find out why some find it so relevant and let yourself come to see the matter as real, which gives way for honest assessments.

The man truly knew that the pen is mightier than the sword. He understood how to bring his subject matter to you as he saw, not as how one would assume. Hunter S. Thompson could make a story out of a report, and vice versa. The real beauty in this man and his works is that he believed in what he wrote. Whether the audience was ready to hear it or not, Hunter made no bones about showing us all how to tackle a story, give a report, and make them both the most entertaining pieces crap in the fish wrap. Rock on Hunter, please don't let me find out they make you rest now.

Learn more about this author, Trent Harrison.
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