39 replies to this topic

[ᗅᗺᗷᗅ]

Why fear death? It comes when it comes.

 

Because it might be painful or terrifying or generally awful.  I don't know about you, but I try to avoid painful, terrifying, and generally awful things whenever possible.

[Redezra]

I don't understand the "You won't care when you're dead". Well of course I won't care. I won't exist. I don't want to not exist. Would you want to not exist? I want to keep experiencing. Forever. Which is of course impossible. And to avoid a nearly constant panic state, I need to keep this out of my mind. Which is why I would not want to know when I die. I would spend the rest of my (likely rather short) life in a panic.

[King Biscuit]

I am* intelligent, Thrash, and I don't fear death one bit.

[PrinceVegeta]

I can't really agree with the "I won't exist" statement Red. As far as I know, nothing can't not exist. If anything, say, my body, won't cease to exist it just won't exist in the form it's in for too long until I decompose or just rot to dust. As far as my conscience I tend to theorize that it's got to be some form of energy and of course you can't destroy energy so it either changes form or something else entirely. Although that's only if that theory is right. I stick to my guns though on the existence bit. If you think I'm wrong (Which is most likely the case, knowing you Red. :3) Do educate me. I welcome any info I can get because it helps me with my personal studies and such.

 

Now before someone says something, I am, in no way, trying to prove any religions afterlife stuff. It would give them some ground however one thing each afterlife statement fails to explain is the process before the end product, nor is anyone trying to give some proof on the process as far as the religious go. Only scientists are actually trying.

 

Hopefully in about 10 years we'll figure it out. I've seen tons of articles about scientists really digging into our brains and attempt to explain what makes us tick. But that's all pretty much why I don't fear death. Hell, I crave death sometimes, but that's only when I read the comments under NBC's facebook news posts.  The amount of stupidity is depressing. The majority if not all of those people are here...in the US. Which is typical but still depressing.

[Redezra]

I didn't exist before I was alive, how could it be strange for me to not exist once dead?

[ᗅᗺᗷᗅ]

Let's be clear:  It's not the not existing I fear, because as you say I won't be around to fear it.  It's the process of dying.  What if it's horrible?  What if your sense of time slows to a crawl so that a few tenths of a second seem like an eternity of pain and suffering and fear?  That does not sound appealing in the slightest.

[PrinceVegeta]

I didn't exist before I was alive, how could it be strange for me to not exist once dead?

 

I have yet to find any information proving we didn't exist before we were "alive". Nor is there barely anything proving otherwise, but our memories only go back so far. It could have been a different form of existance where one wouldn't retain memory or even be conscious of anything around them. But in the end, I'm only speculating, but it seems like an interesting thing to look into.

[ᗅᗺᗷᗅ]

What's the difference between not existing and not remembering existing?  The only thing we have to prove our existence is our mind, and even then we can only prove it to yourself.  None of us can categorically prove that anyone else exists.  Cogito ergo sum is all we can know.

[Redezra]

And, if I can't think, I don't exist. If I don't exist, I can't anything. I don't want to can't anything.

[PrinceVegeta]

What's the difference between not existing and not remembering existing?  The only thing we have to prove our existence is our mind, and even then we can only prove it to yourself.  None of us can categorically prove that anyone else exists.  Cogito ergo sum is all we can know.

 

Gosh that reminds me of a long drawn out conversation I had with someone. I think it had to deal with the simulation theory, where perception is a big deal. Although that theory has some big holes in it because you gotta figure out what intelligent thing made the sim. lol It's one of my favorite existential theories I'd say. It's also fun to think about and in a case, relieving, since you'd just get recycled back into the sim. After "dying".

 

And what you want really doesn't matter sadly. I don't want to die, but looking at how fast we're progressing I won't live long enough to see any real effective life extension tech, or even if I did, probably wouldn't be able to afford it or obtain it. 

[ᗅᗺᗷᗅ]

Oh, I disagree.  I think we are going to live through amazing changes.

[ᗅᗺᗷᗅ]

But back to the topic at hand, I must say that I am really surprised that so many people would want to know the exact date and time of their death.  In fact it looks like me and Red are the only two who would not want to know.  Not at all the result I expected.  My assumption is that most people would not want to know.

 

Follow-up question:  Do you believe that this knowledge would have a negative effect on your quality of life?

[PrinceVegeta]

I don't believe it would for me personally. I can set goals to accomplish, that is if the time isn't tomorrow. If it's really soon though, I'd probably just go outside for once and release my anger. You know, like normal mass murderers would.

 

I can see why others wouldn't though. Knowing when you die, watching the days tick away just knowing that death will either be sooner or later. Could be depressing.

[Redezra]

For previously specified reasons, hell yes it would negatively affect my quality of life

[the rebel]

Let's be clear:  It's not the not existing I fear, because as you say I won't be around to fear it.  It's the process of dying.  What if it's horrible?  What if your sense of time slows to a crawl so that a few tenths of a second seem like an eternity of pain and suffering and fear?  That does not sound appealing in the slightest.

 

Who said there is such a thing as dying peacefully?

 

Even "peacefully" death could be traumatic for the person dying "peacefully"

 

Follow-up question:  Do you believe that this knowledge would have a negative effect on your quality of life?

 

I would view it positively, since I would be doing things I want to do before I go where other commitments would hinder that process. For example say you had six months left would you either work till death without the knowledge or live your life to the fullest for the remainder?

[KiWi]

Guys guys guys.

Think about how effectively you can calculate ROI's if your various investments if you knew the time factor.

"hmm. Plenty of time to get X degree and it be worth it "

"woah, better take out shares in YY corp, sorry HEU.fund"

[ᗅᗺᗷᗅ]

Well the results speak for themselves.  Only two people — 15% — voted no.  Unfortunately for the rest of you the two in question were me and Redezra, and our votes count more than all of yours combined.  So we win.

 

Sorry, but I don't make up the rules.

 

Well, okay, technically I do.  But still.  U mad bro?

[Learz]

So wait, I need clarification. If I ask and find out I'm going to die in a year, nothing can change that?

So I could go skydiving without a parachute...?

[*Anastasia]

So wait, I need clarification. If I ask and find out I'm going to die in a year, nothing can change that?
So I could go skydiving without a parachute...?

And break every bone in your body, spending the last year of your life in excruciating pain laid up in a hospital bed? Sure, if you want.

[Redezra]

Tee hee. :3 This reminds me of The Death Machine. Good book.