# A morbid question: What happens to SDMB if Cecil dies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 29, 2004, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090 "2004-12-29T14:05:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2004, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/41 "2004-12-29T23:19:38Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > Er, didn’t that rocket get smashed in a zillion pieces when it hit the ocean? :eek: ☹ That’s what THEY want you to think - it was all an “accident”. ---
**Author:** ![asmodius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/34f0e0/32.png) [@asmodius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asmodius)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2004, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/42 "2004-12-29T23:43:52Z")
Check out this link. There is a fellow in the back row, second from the right, that is credited as being Cecil Adams. Might be on to something… [http://alumni.astate.edu/events/golden\_anniversary\_brunch.htm](http://alumni.astate.edu/events/golden_anniversary_brunch.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Scruloose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@Scruloose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scruloose)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2004, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/43 "2004-12-29T23:48:52Z")
> [@asmodius](#): > > Check out this link. There is a fellow in the back row, second from the right, that is credited as being Cecil Adams. Might be on to something… > > [http://alumni.astate.edu/events/golden\_anniversary\_brunch.htm](http://alumni.astate.edu/events/golden_anniversary_brunch.htm) Feh. That’s just his human costume. Here’s what he _really_ looks like: [Cecil[sub]y[/sub] Adams](http://www.trading-cards-direct.co.uk/acatalog/A18CECIL.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2004, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/44 "2004-12-29T23:57:12Z")
> [@Uvula Donor](#): > > Cecil, like any other [fictional character registered as a trademark](http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=2hn2n0.2.1), will only “die” when the Chicago Reader has no further use of “him”. um, no. Many real people are ™, e.g. Billy Joel: > [@](#): > > Word Mark BILLY JOEL > Goods and Services IC 025. US 039. G & S: T Shirts. FIRST USE: 19770300. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19770300 > IC 016. US 038. G & S: Posters, Music Books and Concert Programs. FIRST USE: 19730000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19730000 I for one believe that with Cecil, it’s the same as with Dr. Who. Many people, but only one Doctor. And all of them are the Doctor and it’s all true. I suppose we dopers are the daleks. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/45 "2004-12-30T00:37:22Z")
> [@asmodius](#): > > Check out this link. There is a fellow in the back row, second from the right, that is credited as being Cecil Adams. Might be on to something… > > [http://alumni.astate.edu/events/golden\_anniversary\_brunch.htm](http://alumni.astate.edu/events/golden_anniversary_brunch.htm) Whoa! Cecil looks like Orson Bean? ---
**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/46 "2004-12-30T01:00:57Z")
> [@The Gaspode](#): > > um, no. > Many real people are ™, e.g. Billy Joel: um, yes. Check the file: > [@US Patent and Trademark Office](#): > > Owner (APPLICANT) CHICAGO READER, INCORPORATED CORPORATION ILLINOIS P.O. BOX 11101, FORT DEARBORN STATION CHICAGO ILLINOIS 60611 > Attorney of Record RICHARD H. COMPERE > Type of Mark TRADEMARK > Register PRINCIPAL-2(F) > Other Data \*\*CECIL ADAMS DOES NOT IDENTIFY ANY PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL BUT WAS DEVISED AS A FANCIFUL NAME \*\* Many fictional characters are ™ as well, e.g. Betty Crocker. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/47 "2004-12-30T02:18:55Z")
Much like Doctor Who, Green Arrow, Robin and other majestic figures, if Cecil were to die (or become stupid) The Powers That Be would annoint a new Cecil, invest him or her with the knowledge of the universe, and life would continue. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/48 "2004-12-30T02:27:23Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Much like Doctor Who, Green Arrow, Robin and other majestic figures, if Cecil were to die (or become stupid) The Powers That Be would annoint a new Cecil, invest him or her with the knowledge of the universe, and life would continue. Either that or have him murder the entire Green Smartass Corps, destroy the Universe and come back as the Spectre. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/49 "2004-12-30T02:33:08Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Either that or have him murder the entire Green Smartass Corps, destroy the Universe and come back as the Spectre. We’re the Smartass Corps, right? In that case, ixnay on the urdermay. I kinda like the universe, too. Let’s just skip that option entirely. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/50 "2004-12-30T02:33:36Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Whoa! Cecil looks like Orson Bean? No, you are incorrect. [Here is a picture of Cecil](http://www.anime-cel.com/ourstuff/pictures/racer_x.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/51 "2004-12-30T02:41:30Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > We’re the Smartass Corps, right? > > In that case, ixnay on the urdermay. > > I kinda like the universe, too. Let’s just skip that option entirely. “In brightest day, in blackest night, no ignorance shall escape my cite, let those who worship stupid’s might, beware my power, Green Smartass bite!” ---
**Author:** ![sangfroid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@sangfroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sangfroid)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/52 "2004-12-30T03:03:44Z")
> [@moriah](#): > > If Cecil ever died, the Chicago Reader would probably do something stupid like let go of Ed Zotti and hire a new editor who would ghost write under the ‘pen name’ of Cecil Adams, thus hiding the fact that there is no such person as a Cecil Adams. > [@Q.E.D.](#): > > There are those who say this has already happened. Running ‘Cecil Adams’ through an anagram generator yields ~ Ed Acclaims OK… so it also yields~ Is mecca lad El acid scam I, decal scam and my favorite… Medical Sac But still… ---
**Author:** ![sangfroid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@sangfroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sangfroid)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/53 "2004-12-30T03:06:47Z")
Sorry, the link for your amusement… [Anagram Generator](http://www.wordsmith.org/anagram/) s/f ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/54 "2004-12-30T05:03:59Z")
While Cecil is most definately like The Great And Power Oz, please don’t tell me that the Jolly Green Giant isn’t real. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/55 "2004-12-30T05:30:22Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > While Cecil is most definately like The Great And Power Oz, please don’t tell me that the Jolly Green Giant isn’t real. Oh, he’s real. Didn’t you know that he moonlights as another supposedly mythical person for about a month per year? I’d think the “Ho ho ho” would tip you off, though. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/56 "2004-12-30T09:55:55Z")
It’s really very simple. Cecil is like the Speaker for the Dead, only without so much empathy and more wisdom and intelligence of the gluteus. He travels about the universe at .99c, experiencing time extremely slowly relative to us yet still able to communicate by means of instantaneous hyperspace transmission. He’s not immortal or anything, but he’ll sure live a lot longer with this method than most of us :wally:es. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/57 "2004-12-30T10:35:11Z")
> [@Uvula Donor](#): > > um, yes. Check the file: > > Many fictional characters are ™ as well, e.g. Betty Crocker. YEah, but it’s a pseudonym, not a fictional character. Big dif. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/58 "2004-12-30T12:05:26Z")
Cecil Adams not real? Of course Cecil Adams exists. It is we who do not really exist…Winston Smith in particular. (Well, I missed making the Orwell joke in the Oceania thread so I had to take it somewhere…) ---
**Author:** ![BJMoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@BJMoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BJMoose)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/59 "2004-12-30T15:44:58Z")
So, **Unca Cece** , how’s it feel to read your own obit? And to be eulogized by this pack of jackels?? ---
**Author:** ![YPOD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e99b99/32.png) [@YPOD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YPOD)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2004, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090/60 "2004-12-30T16:24:12Z")
I always thought that Cecil and Big Brother from 1984 were the same person. Either that, or he would come back since his death was actually a dream sequence, or one of the Star Trek crews would find a way to time travel and revive/prevent his death/repalce him with an android/transfer his ka to a new host. Prefeerably T’paal, Seven of Nine, of Hoshi (Hoshi, Hoshi, Hoshi). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-morbid-question-what-happens-to-sdmb-if-cecil-dies/282090.md?page=4)