A quick follow-on. Clarke was not the last of the greats. Giants from the earliest days of our field do still walk, ever more slowly, amongst us. This November Tor will publish The Last Theorem, an Arthur Clarke novel that has been completed by Frederik Pohl.  Kate Wilhelm also recently published a new novel. I doubt Phil Farmer will write anything more, but SubPress continue to publish some lovely editions of his work. One thing Clarke’s death highlights is the need for us to cherish those who are still here.
…and of course, Jack Vance.
A few years ago my dad was in Colombo visiting his sister and decided to call Sir Arthur to say hello[!]. They ended up talking for half-an-hour and several months later, Dad was surprised to find an inscribed hc of 3001 which had just been released. A treasured item in his library.
R.I.P., Sir Arthur. A fine gentleman.
And yes, Jack, who is 92. He’s not writing any more, but he’s done extraordinary work.
…and Ray Bradbury!
How could I forget ‘R is for Rocket’, probably the first collection I ever read. Sheesh.