Sad epitaph for a legend – Paul Allen was a titan of innovation and curiosity. Now his legacy is up for grabs at an auction. If Paul were here to see it, he’d probably laugh … then buy out the company trying to auction his life’s work.

One thing you should know is that vintage computing systems are not just outdated pieces of technology – they are valuable artifacts that tell the story of our technological evolution. And yet, here we are, watching as the Living Computers museum in Seattle, with its impressive Paul G. Allen Collection, is being auctioned off like a garage sale.

Paul Allen was a character of innovation – his bio reads like the ‘Most Interesting Man in the World.’ Along with co-founding Microsoft Corporation with his childhood friend Bill Gates in 1975, Allen was known for his philanthropy, his investments in science and art, and his wild yacht parties at Cannes.

But for all of that joy, Paul Allen was just a man. He died in 2018 to septic shock during treatment for another cancer diagnosis. Sadly, another disease got to his museum: COVID. While the pandemic may have been the final nail in the coffin for this museum, it was already struggling to keep up with the fast-paced world of technology. It’s almost ironic that a place dedicated to preserving the past couldn’t adapt to the present.

Paul Allen understood the need for innovation and curiosity. He gave us institutions that not only preserve the past, but also push us forward towards a better future. And let’s be real, dumbing things down to make everyone happy is only going to hold us back. Paul understood that, and his influence is not only missed now, it’s going to be missed more in the years to come.

So, farewell Paul Allen you titan of innovation and RIP to the Living Computers museum. May your legacy serve as a reminder that we should never settle for “good enough” when it comes to progress and innovation. And to whoever ends up with the Paul G. Allen Collection, please do it justice and let it continue to inspire future generations.