Being a journalist for as long as I have, I believe I have become desensitized to the fact that I am desensitized.

I know that sounds funny, but it's actually true. I used to have an awareness to the fact that I am desensitized to many things that happen, but nowadays, I almost have to be knocked back on my ass before I finally realize it.

We don't normally get into real life news here at Airlock Alpha in our main news section, unless there's a science-fiction bent. In fact, I think the last time we did talk about news that had nothing to do with science-fiction, the World Trade Center had just collapsed, and the last thing I cared about in the few days that followed that time period was updating the site.

It seems almost impossible, however, for us to ignore the tragedy that happened at Virginia Tech. More than 30 people lost their lives thanks to a single person, and lives will be affected for many years to come. Just as how Columbine became a part of our dinner table conversations, this to will take center stage for some time, and I don't want to pretend to be writing something here as if it's not happening.

CNN has been running profiles on the victims of the massacre, and there was one I saw this evening that caught my attention ... and caught my heart. I was all set to write a column I had researched about Tauron from the "Battlestar Galactica" universe, since I am a Taurus, and how it's my birthday next week. But I abandoned all that because I want to make sure that the story about G.V. Longanathan is told over and over again.

Mr. Loganathan was working late in his classroom tutoring some graduate students, when a man burst through his door and started firing shots. He wouldn't be the only victim that day, but the civil and environmental engineer was someone who we as fans of science-fiction would consider a part of the family. He loved Star Trek, he loved celebrating differences instead of shying away from them. And he loved his profession.

"He cared about his students as if they were his own children, fretting about their grades, making sure they understood the concepts," Usha, Mr. Longanathan's wife, told CNN. "To the last minute, he loved teaching."

I will never understand what would cause anyone to purchase a weapon with the intent of harming anyone, let alone harming innocent people. I've never been one for violence, especially real-life violence. And it really disturbs me greatly that such a barbaric, thoughless, selfish act can still take place in today's society.

I never had a chance to know him. I never even knew who he was until afterward. I mean, for all I know, he could've visited this site, maybe even posted on the message board. He could've read my infamous "Killer B's" column and thought, "Why is he using that word" or chuckled at me calling William Shatner names.

It's sad that we don't take the time to really respect people until it's too late. What's even more sad is when we never have the chance.

G.V. Loganathan: I never got a chance to know you, or even meet you. I wish I had. And because of some asshole who didn't even deserve the bullet he put into his own head, I never will.

One of his students said it best: "I regret not telling you that you were the best teacher I ever had. You were an inspiration."

If you want to read Mr. Loganathan's inspiring story, read the original CNN story by clicking here.

SyBits

I hope you don't mind that we will skip over SyBits this week, and save the humor for when it's more appropriate. But if you would like to write, send an e-mail to me at mhinman@airlockalpha.com.

Michael Hinman is the founder and site coordinator of Airlock Alpha, writing out of Tampa, Fla.