h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I ask only for a noble death. Being shot or blown up would do just fine. Dying of cancer or old age isn't very appealing. In fact, if I get a terminal disease, I'm going to do something which will get me shot or blown up, like trying to single handedly liberate Tibet from China. I might even work.

I am sure the average citizen of Tibet will appreciate your efforts to return them to their previous down-trodden state. No doubt some of them enjoyed their role of being unpaid slaves of the feudal priests and monks.

In my opinion, a worthier cause to die for would be the fight against institutional American racism.

It's much easier to wage war on the whole of China. How do you wage war on a small proportion of Americans? You can't use any weapons of mass distruction, like you would with China. Anthrax and chlorine gas are completely out of the question in downtown New York.

Scottish Guy, do you have red hair?

A recent article in the Tmes began, "Red hair may be the genetic legacy of Neanderthals, scientists believe ... Researchers at the John Radcliffe Institute of Molecular Medicine in Oxford say that the so-called 'ginger gene' which gives people red hair, fair skin and freckles might have come from Neandethals, who interbred with European humans." Later, there was this McNeanderthal absurdity: "It is estimated that about 10 percent of Scots have red hair and a further 40 percent carry the gene responsible, which could account for their once fearsome reputation as fighters." Och.

The 'Mc' preefix is Irish. 'Mac' is Scottish, meaning 'Son of'. A healthy mix of races can do wonders for a population. It gives you the best of both worlds - problem solving inteligence coupled with uncanny strength and endurance, even though it does make you a short-arse. I certaintly wouldn't object to being told that I carry Neanderthal DNA.