The human race hasn't yet achieved immortality, but scientists assure us it's on the way, some say within the next 25-50 years. Dying Matters' recent survey discovered that 15% of people want to live forever, and only 9% want to live past 100. How long do you want to live for, and why?
by Judith Robinson, Development Librarian, Kirklees Library Service
Introduction...
I wouldn't like to commit to living forever without knowing how healthy I would be forever. If increased life expectancy isn't accompanied by sustained high quality of life, it doesn't sound so much fun.
I'd love to live forever, then I could marry the rather delicious Christopher Lambert from Highlander as he has to live forever too.
It's our avoidance of death that fuels our creativity and gives meaning to life. Death is what makes life precious. Without it, the meaning of our lives and the drive that makes us try to make something of them would vanish. The thought of death - my death - makes me swoon with fear, but I would not have it any other way.
For me quality seems more important than time and too much of life just passes me by. Over the years I have read how people feel that being given a death sentence (cancer / aids etc) helps them to actually start living more fully. Until that point I guess so many of us feel we have forever. For me, I think if I could just live TODAY fully that would be wonderful.
If we lived forever would we ever retire do you think ?
Not sure people would want to work forever...
"Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart." Steve Jobs A further reflection: most of us find a wet Sunday afternoon unendurable. Living is intensified by a sense of urgency. We don't function well when time lies heavy.
Brings to mind one of the most haunting images in 'Waiting for Godot', when Pozzo says of mankind, "They give birth astride of a grave. The light gleams an instant, then it's night once more."