h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I listened to the original radio broadcast of h2g2 at university, discovering along the way a whole community of other people - not formerly friends - who were equally tickled and touched by the humour of Douglas Adams. We recorded episodes for each other and many a night I found a cassette tape sellotaped to my door in college with a frantic note from one of the 'community' who had an urgent paper to write or who couldn't get to a radio (for those under 43, yes! things were very different for students in those days and there were no Walkmans!). I still get a small frisson of shared pleasure and potential friendship when someone unexpectedly recognises a reference from h2g2.

As for Douglas Adams - now there's a chap who really knew where his towel was! I wish that he could see all the kind and loving things written for him by the community he grew. Like him, however, I am an atheist, so take comfort that he recognised his achievement - the realisation of an inspired and original idea that lit a small flame in so many other hearts and minds. So few of the rest of us will ever be able to say the same.