Rita Levi-Montalcini

Ian · 30th December 2012, 04:53 PM

Rita Levi-Montalcini lived to be 103.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20...evi-montalcini

marplots · 30th December 2012, 05:12 PM

There's something fishy there. The guy that wrote the article died 14 years before she did. I believe he may have been psychic.

Vermonter · 30th December 2012, 06:09 PM

It's not uncommon for obituaries to be written far in advance of the subject's death, especially if the subject has been retired for some time.

marplots · 30th December 2012, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by Vermonter

It's not uncommon for obituaries to be written far in advance of the subject's death, especially if the subject has been retired for some time.

Seems shady. How do you know the person is going to die?

Also, I wonder if this piece was a "pay on publication" deal. They'd owe his estate for the article.

bruto · 30th December 2012, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by marplots

Seems shady. How do you know the person is going to die?

Also, I wonder if this piece was a "pay on publication" deal. They'd owe his estate for the article.

Wild guess?

marplots · 30th December 2012, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by marplots

Seems shady. How do you know the person is going to die?

Also, I wonder if this piece was a "pay on publication" deal. They'd owe his estate for the article.

Originally Posted by bruto

Wild guess?

Do you suppose there's a data base of obits just waiting around? Could we rummage through it and tweak our own?

It would be cool to do something grand just before you kicked so they'd have to rewrite the obit. Like, say, you hide a bit of important research and just release it a few days before you croak. Or maybe those top secret papers in the safe or something.

It is kinda neat that they did her obit more than a decade before. She would have been just getting to 90. They probably thought, "This old gal can't make it much longer." And then she just kept on going. Pretty sweet.

bruto · 30th December 2012, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by marplots

Do you suppose there's a data base of obits just waiting around? Could we rummage through it and tweak our own?

It would be cool to do something grand just before you kicked so they'd have to rewrite the obit. Like, say, you hide a bit of important research and just release it a few days before you croak. Or maybe those top secret papers in the safe or something.

It is kinda neat that they did her obit more than a decade before. She would have been just getting to 90. They probably thought, "This old gal can't make it much longer." And then she just kept on going. Pretty sweet.

I think most newspapers and probably news services have or can access a database of obits of famous people, whether or not they're getting very old. It is, after all, a certainty that they will all die eventually, and it behooves any paper to provide a well researched obit very quickly when it's needed. Of course a certain caution is required so that the obit doesn't come out prematurely. It happens from time to time, but usually it's invisible and we don't stop to think how some reporter managed to sum up a famous person's whole life in the few hours between death and publication.

Gagglegnash · 30th December 2012, 09:19 PM

Remember the, "Mary Tyler Moore Show," where Mary was tasked with updating pre-written obituaries?

zooterkin · 30th December 2012, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by marplots

Seems shady. How do you know the person is going to die?

Do you know someone who isn't?

marplots · 30th December 2012, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by marplots

Seems shady. How do you know the person is going to die?

Originally Posted by zooterkin

Do you know someone who isn't?

Trying to get me to prove a negative?

GodMark2 · 31st December 2012, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by zooterkin

Do you know someone who isn't?

Well, everyone I know hasn't died.

Ian · 31st December 2012, 06:21 AM

Here's a clue in the obit of Joseph Rotblat:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20...ies.obituaries

Quote:

Anthony Tucker died in 1998. His contribution has been revised and updated.

zooterkin · 31st December 2012, 06:57 AM

Originally Posted by marplots

Trying to get me to prove a negative?

No, but it's the way to bet. And, worst case, if the person doesn't die, then they just don't use the obituary.

Pup · 31st December 2012, 07:14 AM

Apparently, Anthony Tucker was an enthusiastic obituary writer:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/anthony-tucker

What an odd career as a writer: "Yes! A scientist died today. I'm going to get another publishing credit!"

Though it looks like most of the obituaries were either published after his death or, more likely, the earlier ones haven't made it online.

AvalonXQ · 31st December 2012, 07:43 AM

On-topic for pre-written obits: Google "Gerald Ford SNL."

marplots · 31st December 2012, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by zooterkin

No, but it's the way to bet. And, worst case, if the person doesn't die, then they just don't use the obituary.

That gave me an idea. I'm writing my obit with a bunch of glorious accomplishments I haven't done yet. Should give me lots of motivation. Now, how do I go about negotiating peace in the Middle East?

Ian · 31st December 2012, 12:26 PM

Also, this is something to avoid:

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/germa...-bush-obituary

Aepervius · 31st December 2012, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by marplots

Do you suppose there's a data base of obits just waiting around? Could we rummage through it and tweak our own?

It would be cool to do something grand just before you kicked so they'd have to rewrite the obit. Like, say, you hide a bit of important research and just release it a few days before you croak. Or maybe those top secret papers in the safe or something.

It is kinda neat that they did her obit more than a decade before. She would have been just getting to 90. They probably thought, "This old gal can't make it much longer." And then she just kept on going. Pretty sweet.

A friend working at a journal told me they jsut have that : a database of obit of well known people, with general facts, and some throw away condoleance sentence, so that they are never really caught unaware. ETA: also for old people generally the last decade is rather uneventful for an obit.

30th December 2012, 04:53 PM	#1
Ian Thinker Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 243	Rita Levi-Montalcini Rita Levi-Montalcini lived to be 103. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20...evi-montalcini
Ian Thinker Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 243

30th December 2012, 05:12 PM	#2
marplots Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5,404	There's something fishy there. The guy that wrote the article died 14 years before she did. I believe he may have been psychic.
marplots Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5,404

30th December 2012, 06:24 PM	#4
marplots Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5,404	Originally Posted by Vermonter It's not uncommon for obituaries to be written far in advance of the subject's death, especially if the subject has been retired for some time. Seems shady. How do you know the person is going to die? Also, I wonder if this piece was a "pay on publication" deal. They'd owe his estate for the article.
marplots Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5,404

30th December 2012, 07:42 PM	#5
bruto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: way way north of Diddy Wah Diddy Posts: 11,191	Originally Posted by marplots Seems shady. How do you know the person is going to die? Also, I wonder if this piece was a "pay on publication" deal. They'd owe his estate for the article. Wild guess?
	__________________ "Sir, I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an understanding.(Samuel Johnson) The gods are less for their love of praise....(Wendell Berry)

30th December 2012, 07:48 PM	#6
marplots Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5,404	Originally Posted by marplots Seems shady. How do you know the person is going to die? Also, I wonder if this piece was a "pay on publication" deal. They'd owe his estate for the article. Originally Posted by bruto Wild guess? Do you suppose there's a data base of obits just waiting around? Could we rummage through it and tweak our own? It would be cool to do something grand just before you kicked so they'd have to rewrite the obit. Like, say, you hide a bit of important research and just release it a few days before you croak. Or maybe those top secret papers in the safe or something. It is kinda neat that they did her obit more than a decade before. She would have been just getting to 90. They probably thought, "This old gal can't make it much longer." And then she just kept on going. Pretty sweet.
marplots Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5,404	Last edited by marplots; 30th December 2012 at 07:50 PM.

30th December 2012, 06:09 PM	#3
Vermonter Critical Thinker Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 429	It's not uncommon for obituaries to be written far in advance of the subject's death, especially if the subject has been retired for some time.

30th December 2012, 09:09 PM	#7
bruto Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: way way north of Diddy Wah Diddy Posts: 11,191	Originally Posted by marplots Do you suppose there's a data base of obits just waiting around? Could we rummage through it and tweak our own? It would be cool to do something grand just before you kicked so they'd have to rewrite the obit. Like, say, you hide a bit of important research and just release it a few days before you croak. Or maybe those top secret papers in the safe or something. It is kinda neat that they did her obit more than a decade before. She would have been just getting to 90. They probably thought, "This old gal can't make it much longer." And then she just kept on going. Pretty sweet. I think most newspapers and probably news services have or can access a database of obits of famous people, whether or not they're getting very old. It is, after all, a certainty that they will all die eventually, and it behooves any paper to provide a well researched obit very quickly when it's needed. Of course a certain caution is required so that the obit doesn't come out prematurely. It happens from time to time, but usually it's invisible and we don't stop to think how some reporter managed to sum up a famous person's whole life in the few hours between death and publication.
	__________________ "Sir, I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an understanding.(Samuel Johnson) The gods are less for their love of praise....(Wendell Berry)

30th December 2012, 09:19 PM	#8
Gagglegnash Graduate Poster Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,447	Remember the, "Mary Tyler Moore Show," where Mary was tasked with updating pre-written obituaries?
	__________________ But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. -----Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782 Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear. -----Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787

30th December 2012, 10:28 PM	#9
zooterkin Nitpicking dilettante Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Berkshire, mostly Posts: 24,593	Originally Posted by marplots Seems shady. How do you know the person is going to die? Do you know someone who isn't?
	__________________ The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.Bertrand Russell Zooterkin is correct Darat Nerd! Hokulele Join the JREF Folders ! Team 13232

30th December 2012, 10:54 PM	#10
marplots Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5,404	Originally Posted by marplots Seems shady. How do you know the person is going to die? Originally Posted by zooterkin Do you know someone who isn't? Trying to get me to prove a negative?
marplots Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5,404

31st December 2012, 12:43 AM	#11
GodMark2 Graduate Poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 1,043	Originally Posted by zooterkin Do you know someone who isn't? Well, everyone I know hasn't died.
	__________________ Knowing that we do not know, it does not necessarily follow that we can not know.

31st December 2012, 06:21 AM	#12
Ian Thinker Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 243	Here's a clue in the obit of Joseph Rotblat: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/20...ies.obituaries Quote: Anthony Tucker died in 1998. His contribution has been revised and updated.
Ian Thinker Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 243

31st December 2012, 06:57 AM	#13
zooterkin Nitpicking dilettante Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Berkshire, mostly Posts: 24,593	Originally Posted by marplots Trying to get me to prove a negative? No, but it's the way to bet. And, worst case, if the person doesn't die, then they just don't use the obituary.
	__________________ The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.Bertrand Russell Zooterkin is correct Darat Nerd! Hokulele Join the JREF Folders ! Team 13232

31st December 2012, 07:14 AM	#14
Pup Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,590	Apparently, Anthony Tucker was an enthusiastic obituary writer: http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/anthony-tucker What an odd career as a writer: "Yes! A scientist died today. I'm going to get another publishing credit!" Though it looks like most of the obituaries were either published after his death or, more likely, the earlier ones haven't made it online.
Pup Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,590

31st December 2012, 07:43 AM	#15
AvalonXQ Guest Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,853	On-topic for pre-written obits: Google "Gerald Ford SNL."
AvalonXQ Guest Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 11,853

31st December 2012, 07:51 AM	#16
marplots Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5,404	Originally Posted by zooterkin No, but it's the way to bet. And, worst case, if the person doesn't die, then they just don't use the obituary. That gave me an idea. I'm writing my obit with a bunch of glorious accomplishments I haven't done yet. Should give me lots of motivation. Now, how do I go about negotiating peace in the Middle East?
marplots Philosopher Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 5,404

31st December 2012, 12:26 PM	#17
Ian Thinker Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 243	Also, this is something to avoid: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/germa...-bush-obituary
Ian Thinker Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 243

31st December 2012, 12:41 PM	#18
Aepervius Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Bierland. I mean , germany. Posts: 7,761	Originally Posted by marplots Do you suppose there's a data base of obits just waiting around? Could we rummage through it and tweak our own? It would be cool to do something grand just before you kicked so they'd have to rewrite the obit. Like, say, you hide a bit of important research and just release it a few days before you croak. Or maybe those top secret papers in the safe or something. It is kinda neat that they did her obit more than a decade before. She would have been just getting to 90. They probably thought, "This old gal can't make it much longer." And then she just kept on going. Pretty sweet. A friend working at a journal told me they jsut have that : a database of obit of well known people, with general facts, and some throw away condoleance sentence, so that they are never really caught unaware. ETA: also for old people generally the last decade is rather uneventful for an obit.
	__________________ Omnes Blessant Ultima necat "I want, and this is my last and most dear wish, I want that the last of the king be strangled with the guts of the last priest" (Jean Meslier / 1664-1729 / Testament) A very early french atheist, a catholic priest in life.