Recently a reader asked about eh ins-and-outs of electrocution. He admitted to a morbid curiosity.
Cecil gave his usual learned answer, but ended by calling the person who asked the question an asshole.
I thought this was uncalled for an out of character, furthering my belief that Cecil is not a person, but a character whose author has changed…
Uh, newcrasher, you’re aware that that “recent” article was over 20 years old?
I was also surprised by Cecil’s gruffness in What physically happens to someone electrocuted in the electric chair? He wasn’t nearly as angry when someone asked about female circumcision. I reread the question as posed, and I think I may know whence the resentment comes:
Cecil may be upset that the person is interesting in using another’s gruesome death as a means of personal edification. Even though Cecil seems hateful of the morbid curiosity itself, I think the willingness to participate is the crux of his ire.
Cecil is angry because his brother died by electric chair. Albeit, it fell on him from a four story building, but nevertheless, the anger is justified.
newscrasher. I agree that you just aren’t used to reading Cecil’s columns from the early 1980’s. Calling someone an asshole was just par for the course.
I assume that you don’t have any of the Straight Dope books? WHY NOT?
If you want to read some vintage Cecil(and even read these rehashed columns before they reappear here, then go to the Straight Dope Bookstore and purchase a copy or two. Most of the columns that are being reposted of late are from The Straight Dope.
People on this board are so concerned that it may not survive economically. Well, buy a book. From the SD. If you like this place.
Of course you can borrow those books from the library.
Peace,
mangeorge
Speaking of Cecil’s books, I’ve been meaning to ask:
When is the next one coming out? It’s overdue!!!
[Doubtless this gets asked and answered every few months. Forgive me. I’m new in these parts.]
BJMoose, it does come up a lot, and the answer is always “You’re going to have to buy up the books that have already been printed before we go turning out new ones”. So, that brings us back to samclem’s advice.
[continuing hijack] I’m wondering why there isn’t a discount for buying the whole series? I thought of getting them for a friend for his birthday, but what with shipping to the UK etc., it comes a bit too expensive. After all, I’ve got hairdos and pizzas to pay for … :)[/continuing hijack]
Julie
What kind of an outfit is this? They can’t make new books unless we buy up all the old junk? This is worse than my mom saying I can’t open the new bottle of ketchup until I finish off the two-year-old bottle we already have. Hmph.