Lightsabers and severed heads

[Valigarmander]

This is something Val realized the last time he watched a Star Wars film. One of the features of the lightsaber is that it instantly cauterizes wounds that it causes, thus preventing any major blood loss as a result of dismemberment (Aqualish bar thugs notwithstanding).

So, if one were to lop off someone else's head with a lightsaber...





...then the instant cauterization should trap enough oxygenated blood in the brain to keep the decapitated head alive and conscious for a good 15 seconds.

[b l a n k]

So you get an extra 15 seconds of life, huh? No wonder getting your head chopped off was once considered the most chivalric way to be executed.

[Tyler]

Yeah, you get to put on a good smile for those witnessing your execution.

[X-3]

Windu looks pretty bored in that first picture.

[Booyakasha]

Man. If ever there were an instance where you'd rather be Greedo than Jango Fett, it's the death. Greedo never saw it coming. Plus, there's a degree of dignity to getting gunned down by Han Solo; whereas having your dumb head lopped off by that plonker Mace Windu would be downright humiliating.

[Tyler]

I remember trying to pause Episode III when I was younger, and catch Dooku's severed head falling off. Never did manage to do it.