Based off the three excerpts I chose from the book, "Stiff", by Mary Roach, I decided to rename the title, "How to Use Your Cadaver". The passages I chose all relate to the title since they deal with the different uses of cadavers.
My first passage from page 87 explains how cadavers have been used in car crash simulations to determine the force of impact during the crash. Most people, including myself, don't realize this even though we ride in a car almost everyday. Because of these cadavers, we are better-equipped and protected in car accidents. Without them, many mysteries would have remained, and the chances of surviving a car crash may have been severely low as well. This excerpt relates to my title because it is a research that cadavers take part in. Partaking in this research is one of the many things you can do with your cadaver.
The second excerpt on page 195 describes a cadaver named "H", who is a brain dead patient donating her organs. Donating organs is another choice cadavers can turn to. "H" is helping others, saving their lives, making herself useful. "H" is a hero because she is still contributing to society even though she is not alive. Instead of wasting perfectly healthy and beating organs, she utilizes her body parts for the benefit of others, a huge necessity needed in this world.
The last passage I chose was a rather strange, yet interesting and beneficial use for cadavers. On page 263, it talks about human composting, and how it is natural for us to "return" back to nature. As weird as it sounds, it actually made sense, and I actually agree with it. Again, there is the issue of "wasting" a body, and so if your just going to burn or bury the body anyways, might as well help the earth instead. At least through human composting, we are able to provide some nutrients to the environment, unlike cremation where you have nothing but ashes and some pollution. Human composting is another alternative to utilizing a cadaver, which is how it relates to my title.
I chose to redesign the new book cover as a pair of hands holding some organs to symbolize "giving". There are a variety of uses for cadavers, and through it all, someone or something gains something, whether it be an actual organ or knowledge. The pair of hands are also supposed to be dismembered, to again, represent a cadaver donating its' body for research and development. Like the brain dead patient, H, for instance is giving away her parts to save others. The human composting research as well, contains the idea of utilizing a cadaver for environmental benefits.
My new title, "How to Use Your Cadaver", describes the many ways a cadaver can be used. From facial research to nerve reconstruction, there are endless possibilities.
