2026-03-11

# Did Aaron Swartz commit suicide because of his girlfriend?

Disclaimer
 - **Quick Note**

Main
 - [Link to The New Yorker article](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/03/11/requiem-for-a-dream)
 - Few days back, I was saying I should find a girlfriend who is okay with prospect of me going to prison.
 - I don't know how much Aaron Swartz' decision to commit suicide was influenced by his girlfriend testifying against him. Might be worth pulling up the actual court record to check.

update
 - apparently he found another partner after this. still doesnt answer my Q though
 - Quinn Norton started relationship with Aaron 2007. (presumably first relationship? Aaron was age 21+-1 I think) Quinn testified against Aaron 2011. Aaron and Quinn broke up 2011. Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman and Aaron started relationship in 2011. Aaron committed suicide 2013.
 - quinn was queer and anarchist-leaning, taren worked on many climate orgs. 

side note
 - taren now working on golden gate institute that is focussed on AI timelines and stuff. they have impressive advisor list. [The Curve](https://thecurve.goldengateinstitute.org) seems very impressive. I'm personally not interested in talking to AI company employees because they're my outgroup. But I can see why people would value something like this.
 - also TIL aaron swartz and holden karnofsky frequently talked to each other

update
 - ross ulbricht's girlfriend julia vie also broke up and testified against ross, for increasing involvement in silk road
 - honestly I should go get the relationship history of every single major software developer turned activist. directly relevant to the type of work I want to do Big if True