Immortality, who wants to live forever?

[Locksmith]

I'm just worried for the actuaries. I mean, they have a difficult enough job as it is, without everyone being immortal. You'd definitely have to work past 65, or even 68...

Anyway, I'd take the pill - I've got more stuff I'd like to do than I'm likely to have time for.

[mosaix]

Some good arguments here, for and against.

I do believe that, providing someone wasn't actually seeking death, that on thier deathbed most people given the choice of continuing to live would grasp it with both hands.

Everlasting life for me - no question.

BTW I think it has been calculated that, given the medical ability to extend life indefinately, average life span would be between 700 and 800 because of accidents.

[The Ace]

Enjoy it, but count me out.

[HoopyFrood]

Originally Posted by j. d. worthington

I agree with Hoopy here.

Wow...I mean...wow...JD agreed with me on something?!.....Whoa....

Can everyone really imagine living for a billion years, 4 billion years, 10 billion years...etc? Doesn't that kind of concept just make your head spin? It's such an outrageously large amount of time that I don't think anyone could really grasp it properly. Nope, I just couldn't do it. I agree with Ace...count me out.

[SpaceShip]

Originally Posted by jackokent

In the imortal words of Robbie Williams "I'm not scared of dying, I just don't want to."

I think I'd want to die if it came to having the immortal words of Robbie Williams thrown at me!!

But another thought has just struck me - what if the world suddenly came to a halt and we all sort of went into reverse, gradually getting younger and not being able to do anything about it. Knowing things like the embarrassing thing you did on 22 April 1994 (and I suppost some joker will ask me what that was in my case!) was about to happen and you just had to take it.

[jackokent]

Originally Posted by SpaceShip

I think I'd want to die if it came to having the immortal words of Robbie Williams thrown at me!!

But another thought has just struck me - what if the world suddenly came to a halt and we all sort of went into reverse, gradually getting younger and not being able to do anything about it. Knowing things like the embarrassing thing you did on 22 April 1994 (and I suppost some joker will ask me what that was in my case!) was about to happen and you just had to take it.

Good point about Robbie Williams there.

The idea of going backward is just too complicated. How would that work? For instance, would you start off being sick at a party and then get steadily more sober?

[Redhawk]

Very interesting topic! Many different ways of looking at such an opportunity that's a given. Once not exactly mentioned that occurs to me is that anyone who is a Christian, already HAS taken "the pill" since that belief system entails Everlasting Life as part of the gift.

The argument after acceptance and that leap of faith is an on-going debate in some circles since most of the more fundamental faiths would dictate that you die, go into the ground, or are cremated...some believe you MUST go into the ground whole and shun cremation...and will rise again when Christ returns in the second coming. While many of the more "modern" or "airy fairy," New Age Christians are wont to believe we might be reincarnated or go more directly to heaven...in spirit form. (OH and FYI...the fundamentalist would probably consider ME to be of the Airy Fairy garden-tree-hugging type of Christian...I'm a bit of a hy-bred.*)

For the sake of keeping to the theme here...lets say that if you choose to accept Christ as your savior and that, you do then, in fact have eternal life. What do you do with THAT? Learn to play the harp really well? Play all day in a meadow of flowers with all the dogs you ever had throughout your earthly existence? Continue doing many of the same things, creatively, in heaven as you did on earth? Develop the voice of an Angel and sing in the heavenly choir?

Makes me wonder! I'd not given it much thought in terms of, What will I do all day...after day...after day...after day.....

* In my personal faith, I'm rock solid in my acceptance and relationship with Christ. Where I dive off the path is that I'm aware that the Bible was written by HUMANS, and while I would assume inspired by God, The Great Mystery...I also know it was RE-Written by yet more humans...and though I believe much of it...I kinda prefer to go to The Source my own self when I have questions. I've learned that I always get an answer....even if it's not one I would claim to "like" when I get it. I also don't believe that it's my "job" to shove God down someone else's throat and insist they are wrong in their beliefs...sharing ideas is one thing...but beliefs are personal and ya gots to find yur own! or don't...choosing not to make a choice...is also a choice!

I take a lot of things on faith. Mostly, that I don't have to have all the answers, or understand everything 100% because I believe that ultimately "someone else" knows what's going on, what should go on and what will go on. Sure we have free will, we make our choices...but far be it from ME to try and impose limitations or judgments on the Almighty! roflmao....ahhh...perhaps NOT is my thought on it.

But...would I want to live forever, in THIS body, in THIS time and place...with TIME itself racing along all around me, while I stay myself as I am....??? I don't think so...this is my NOW and it's wonderful, sometimes frustrating, sometimes frightening, sometimes tiring, sometimes so full of joy and love I think I'll burst from fullness...but it is the moment I am in. Where I'll be and what I'll be in two years, or ten, or 100 I don't know...but that I will be...I am assured. I would hate to think I had a better idea and miss out on what ever adventure is awaiting my arrival. I will be where I should be when I get there, without a lot of fiddle faddle on my part.

I agree with much already said here for NOT taking the pill...not for all the same reasons...but the ideas ring true for me none the less. If I can't get "something" of value accomplished in the time I am meant to be here...shame on me... Obviously, this decision would be as personal to each as many other decisions in life are found to be. With my "luck" I'd simply procrastinate all the more gleefully and still manage not to get anything done!

Great topic...great ideas and perspectives!

[andrew.v.spencer]

Thanks Redhawk good points. If one is of a religious persuasion then of course the life eternal is already guaranteed, hence the need for the pill vanishes. Unless of course one merely takes it as a another form of medical advance, (of which we routinely partake), and as we've being given intellects and curiousity, therefore part of the creators plan anyway.

[The Pelagic Argosy]

Originally Posted by Locksmith

I'm just worried for the actuaries. I mean, they have a difficult enough job as it is, without everyone being immortal. You'd definitely have to work past 65, or even 68...

Heh heh. I'm sure Locksmith is being facetious here. But it makes me think of something. I think some people who are afraid of getting bored might be thinking of immortality as one long retirement: you might finally do some traveling, focus on a few hobbies, play a lot of bingo...and then what? Yeah, that would certainly be boring.

J.D. said awhile back that, even with our longer life expectancy, things haven't changed much in 150 years. Actually, I think things have changed dramatically. Back then, death wasn't associated with old age as it is now. People died of diseases that we now have cures for, complications from childbirth, mining accidents, etc. (Many of these things are still a problem in underdeveloped countries.) These days we die of cancer, heart attacks, strokes -- age-related illnesses that were unheard of back then.

People didn't think of "retirement" as a life stage like we do now. Some people, if they plan well financially and stay healthy, can expect to spend as many years in happy retirement as they did working. Society has shifted in dramatic ways as a result of our aging population. In some ways it has become a crisis, in terms of social security and health insurance, etc. But, in other ways, it's positive. People actually look forward to the "golden years:" the freedom, the traveling, spoiling the grandkids. Some people even start second careers. 65 is the new 40, you know. (Or maybe I've just seen too many menopause commercials.)

If such dramatic shifts have occured as a result of tacking 20-40 years to our life expectancy, just imagine how our concept of life would change if we could live for a thousand years or more. Why would you have to stop at one career? You could start out by, say, going to medical school. (You wouldn't have to rush through. You've got all the time in the world.) You could work for a 100 years or so as a doctor or researcher. Invest your money in the stock market. (Just think of how your money would grow if it were invested for centuries.) When you get sick of being a doctor, you could enter your first retirment. You could travel, or play bingo, or get a little cottage someplace quiet and just relax. Then, when you get bored with that, go back to school. Maybe this time around you want to study music or write that novel.

And forget traveling as we know it. You could live anywhere. You'd have plenty of time to learn the language. Live in Paris for 100 years. Then Japan. Then Brazil. Then...Mars?

What's that you say? After 500 years your spouse is getting on your nerves? Well, take a break from him or her. Separate or divorce and marry someone else. It doesn't have to be goodbye forever. The two of you are immortal and you're going to remain 30 years old forever. You can always reunite in the future. You're going to be very different people 1,000 years from now. You'll be like newlyweds all over again.

Yikes. You could wind up with dozens of children and as many spouses as Elizabeth Taylor.

[Tau Zero]

JD,

I read your post with interest as (again) your raise intelligent points. I won't pretend that i put very much thought on the social impact of such an event.

My thought were (obviously) on the pesonal choice to live this way. Many of the comments revolve around the eventual boredom of such an existance. But i don't think that will be a problem. If you're bored, and have all the time in the world, then find something new to do. Get a new job for a few decades, do something you've always wanted for a century or so. You'd never run out of things to do because new occupation and fields of study are always opening up.

And remember, as described, this immortaliy is not invulnerability. You can kill yourself any time you want to.

And finally, just judging from these posts, most people would not accept this opportunity. So there may not be very many immortals running around after all.

[Talysia]

If living forever meant always existing in people's memories - as a famous author, artist or something, for example - then that wouldn't be too bad, but I wouldn't actually want to physically live forever. Whilst it would give me plenty of time to write my stories, I think I'd miss my family too much. Having to watch everyone I know grow old whilst I stayed the same - I'd hate that.

[Who's Wee Dug]

Originally Posted by Paige Turner

'I'm not afraid of dying. Why should I be afraid? There's no reason for it. You've got to go sometime."

I'll bet 90% of you have heard this quote, but if somebody can name the source, I'll be very impressed.

As to death, I want something dramatic, probably gravity-related, maybe fiery. Real front-page stuff.

Skydiving Centenarian Brings Rush Hour To Standstill.
'I thought it was a meteor until I saw the gumboots' says shaken trucker

Oh yeah.

Pink Floyd!! it was on a track called The Great Gig in the Sky and it was the opening words spoken at the start of the track.The name of the album is The Dark Side of the Moon released in 1973.

[SpaceShip]

Originally Posted by Redhawk

Very interesting topic! Many different ways of looking at such an opportunity that's a given. Once not exactly mentioned that occurs to me is that anyone who is a Christian, already HAS taken "the pill" since that belief system entails Everlasting Life as part of the gift.

Makes me wonder! I'd not given it much thought in terms of, What will I do all day...after day...after day...after day.....

Well - so far as your last sentence is concerned, the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9 "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered in the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him".

I look around at this world and think that there is just so much out there that I haven't seen or will see in this lifetime and wonder just what St Paul had in mind in the above verse. I reckon it will be very exciting!

[Redhawk]

Originally Posted by SpaceShip

Well - so far as your last sentence is concerned, the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9 "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered in the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him".

I look around at this world and think that there is just so much out there that I haven't seen or will see in this lifetime and wonder just what St Paul had in mind in the above verse. I reckon it will be very exciting!

Without sarcasm or sounding too ditsy...imagine the itinerary...ooooh...I mean...who else really KNOWS all the really cool places to see and things to do? Now...THAT'S a real trip! No "E" tickets there! All "A's"

[Faile]

To live forever? A question that is raised by many people and many relgions.
There is many who believe that only those who can afford it should be allowed this sort of thing if it ever came about.
Personally I would not like to live forever...maybe a few decades more but not for an enertity.
What would happen if you suffered from an illness or diability? Would the gift or enteral life cure you of it?