Comments on: Copernicus: Still Dead

By: Justin

Justin — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:29:31 +0000

Copernicus is a hero who died for his beliefs. His beliefs are of great benefit to humanity. His beliefs did allow global pillaging on a scale never before imagined (such as the killing of 5 million people, in 3 years, by Christopher Columbus). However, the discoveries by Copernicus also allowed humanity untold resources, space to avoid the plagues of the time, possibly even success of our species at the top of the food chain.

One can be as disrespectful of a grave, as they were of the man. One may also cherish that which is contained inside a grave, respectfully allow the person the credibility they earned in life, and build a monument to a fallen hero. I believe the Catholic Church owes this man a chance
to live on — in death — long after the life they took away from him.

By: Julianne

Julianne — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:23:30 +0000

He was also the corrupt police superintendent(?) in LA Confidential.

By: Bill Nettles

Bill Nettles — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:06:30 +0000

What about Jack Bauer’s dad on 24?

By: mandydax

mandydax — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:30:34 +0000

I posted this ( http://mine.icanhascheezburger.com/view.aspx?ciid=2666286 ) as soon as I saw the reconstruction. I guess I’m not the only one who saw the similarity, and yes, Dean, I think this crowd will recognize him more from his role in First Contact.

By: My-Name-is-Kenneth

My-Name-is-Kenneth — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:55:15 +0000

A dead body can serve only two purposes: As food for worms and giving evidence and clues to science and historians. Everything else is just so much overwrought sentimentality for a person who is no longer with us.

And I have no major interest in feeding worms, who have enough sustenance from other sources.

By: andy.s

andy.s — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 01:01:29 +0000

Yes, yes, but you’re leaving out the most important detail: did the DNA of Copernicus match James Cromwell?

You science-y guys could easily get a lot more page hits if you mixed in a little celebrity gossip from time to time, you know.

By: No. 9

No. 9 — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:56:47 +0000

Youse guys are missing a great opportunity here–if Native North Americans could do it with Kennewick Man, think of the publicity and rights cosmologists could get by claiming Copernicus’s bones! You want that new space telescope or not? Hie thee to a lawyer!

By: yotta

yotta — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:24:37 +0000

I could have sworn by the title and first paragraph that this was Sean’s sense of humor at work. You had me busting up. Nice post!!

By: Grayorchid

Grayorchid — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:53:21 +0000

It would be interesting to see what other research could be done with Copernicus’ remains. Lets have a look at his teeth to see what his late childhood was like. Lets look at his fingernails… What was he eating in his last months? Since he has already been disturbed, it would be a shame to have the remains of someone from the “upper class” of that timeframe go without such investigation.

For someone who has been dead for so long, I could not personaly object to the disturbance of his remains. Copernicus led a entirely different life than anyone alive today, so studying them will offer some insight into a past no one remembers. The fact that Copernicus is.. well, Copernicus, is rather unimportant in this light. But I wonder what the Bishops motivation was. Around the world the Catholic faith is losing followers, or at least active ones. I have read that this abandoment of the faith is even more common in europe than elsewhere. Maybe this Bishop is allowing Copernicus’ remains to be exumed and reconstructed not only to put a more accurate face on history, but also put his church on the map agian.

By: KC

KC — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:34:43 +0000

Actually I think this was pretty cool that they figured out this was Copernicus. Can you think of a more famous scientist? If I’m ever near Frombork, I’ll be sure to pay my respects.