Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642)
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Until recently -- approximately 400 years ago -- it was widely held among humans
that the Universe revolved about the Earth. This theory is clearly incorrect, for the following two
reasons:
While Nicolaus Copernicus was the first Earthling to discover this error, he
was largely ignored, largely because he was largely Polish. Galileo's work,
The Dialogue, was, on the other hand, taken quite seriously on the same topics.
Seriously enough to land him under house arrest for the remainder of his life.
On a happier note, Galileo's excommunication by the Catholic Church was even-more-recently
repealed, ending his eternity of pain and torment at a meager 350 years or so. This delay is quite odd, since
his body has been buried within a Catholic church in Firenze, Italy -- one Santa Cruce -- for nearly that
entire time.
Galileo's fame has grown exponentially over the years, due to his innumerable additions to the
base of human knowledge and understanding, because it's fun to belittle the judgements of the Catholic
Church, and because he had a cool, alliterative name.
Among other honors, he has been the subject of a song by the Indigo Girls,1 a play by Bertolt Brecht,2 and an article in the
illustrious Hitch Hiker's Guide.3
that the Universe revolved about the Earth. This theory is clearly incorrect, for the following two
reasons:
- It's ludicrous.
- The Universe actually revolves about the headquarters of the Guide,
and don't let anybody tell you otherwise.
While Nicolaus Copernicus was the first Earthling to discover this error, he
was largely ignored, largely because he was largely Polish. Galileo's work,
The Dialogue, was, on the other hand, taken quite seriously on the same topics.
Seriously enough to land him under house arrest for the remainder of his life.
On a happier note, Galileo's excommunication by the Catholic Church was even-more-recently
repealed, ending his eternity of pain and torment at a meager 350 years or so. This delay is quite odd, since
his body has been buried within a Catholic church in Firenze, Italy -- one Santa Cruce -- for nearly that
entire time.
Galileo's fame has grown exponentially over the years, due to his innumerable additions to the
base of human knowledge and understanding, because it's fun to belittle the judgements of the Catholic
Church, and because he had a cool, alliterative name.
Among other honors, he has been the subject of a song by the Indigo Girls,1 a play by Bertolt Brecht,2 and an article in the
illustrious Hitch Hiker's Guide.3
1Who are not
actually indigo, per se.2Who
was also immortalized due to a cool, alliterative name.3Which,
actually, is indigo if viewed in certain lighting conditions. While drunk.
actually indigo, per se.2Who
was also immortalized due to a cool, alliterative name.3Which,
actually, is indigo if viewed in certain lighting conditions. While drunk.
