On Saturday, January 31, 2004
he froze to death in a cow pasture. In the afterlife, he lived the experiences of each person with whom he'd known any contact, even those who merely passed him on the street; he saw himself through the eyes of others. He now understood his effect on people, he understood every response of various girlfriends, lab partners, teachers, strangers in elevators. He saw with painful clarity his weaknesses, and strengths, his failures and arrogance, alongside his accomplishments and empathy. He realized he knew nothing of himself, and had never bothered to ask those who did.