[UA] Re: London (was American attitudes and things)

[David M Jacobs]

On 06/02/07, Bastien Pilon <demiurge.gnosis at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Damn skippy. Now I could see them having an argument if they could
> definitely prove that they were actually related in some way, shape or
> form to the people who's bones they're trying to claim.


I'd be happier if they could prove exclusive descent.

Forex, family folklore (on my mother's side) has it that we're descended
from a 9th/10th-century Viking named Hrolf Ganger.  In that case, we should
probably have a say in the disposition of his remains.

However, as any pop-geneticist will tell you (at least the ones with an
interest in history), about half of people of English descent can claim that
relationship, through his great-great-great-grandson, William the Conqueror
-- around 50% of people of English blood hold genetic material from Billy
the Bastard in their DNA.  A fair number of Scottish- and Irish-descended
folk could probably claim that, too.

ObUA: What if the exercise with the bones isn't some feelgood "be one with
the ancestors" thing, but part of a variant proxy ritual?  Instead of having
just one proxy, effects are spread out across the remains' living
descendants...


-- 
David M Jacobs
davidmichaeljacobs at gmail.com

"[N]ever hide a gun in a cat box. Some moron cat would manage to fire it."
-- Tim Powers.
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