Re:Harvard University removes human skin binding from book
by stared on Thursday March 28, 2024 @08:58AM
(#39850712)
So, the solution is to remove it from public access so it cannot be used in disrespectful practices. Not to destroy the artifact. Especially not by a university or any institution supposedly preserving knowledge and culture. (And yes, most of human history is nasty.)
Re:Harvard University removes human skin binding from book
by devnullbrain on Thursday March 28, 2024 @09:04AM
(#39850792)
It's a strange warping of preservation that means you'd rather the book be inaccessible but complete than accessible but complete in content.
Re:Harvard University removes human skin binding from book
by torstenvl on Thursday March 28, 2024 @09:06AM
(#39850826)
It isn't a strange warping of preservation, it's EXACTLY what preservation means. Destruction is always and everywhere the opposite of preservation.
Re:Harvard University removes human skin binding from book
by Ekaros on Thursday March 28, 2024 @09:13AM
(#39850906)
Especially when it is not the content, but the nature of the object that make it unique and historic. I could understand if this was only copy in the world of the text inside, but that does not seem to be case.
If this was the skin of your grandmother’s grandmother, how would your grandmother feel about it being used a hazing ritual?
Using the balance of probabilities it is likely that the unidentified person’s family would not want that to happen and is likely they would want their grandmother back.
This being a woman is only relevant because, in that era it was more likely to be a woman, I.e. consent was not seen as important when do things to/with women’s bodies.