Arts & Humanities Death: What, and how often, do you think about it?

[Hank93]

Very interesting subject. I've given my views on it in a couple of different threads.

I think that once you die, your "soul" (or "life" or whatever you want to call it) leaves you, and then enters a new born. It can take over some memories, personality, other characteristics (not genetics, obviously). This is where stuff like deja vu comes from.

Im not religious at all, and am very pro-science, but this is just what I think happens. There some things that are going to happen in life that are inexplicable with facts and tests, and to me, this is one of those things.

Sounds ridiculous, but meh

I don't think about death a whole lot, but it pops into my mind maybe once every couple of weeks.

Wow, I wasn't the only person that thought this!

I recently watched an episode of I survived: Beyond and Back, and this just provided real intrigue to the thought of afterlife.

Each episode features 3 people, who experienced near death experiences, and all three had their heart stop for well over 5 minutes. The youngest guy, who was about 16 at the time, had his heart stop for around 15 minutes I think.

It's fascinating hearing peoples experiences when they have "died".

One spoke about seeing their dead mother and grandmother, another could see their unconscious body and was "walking" through the school that they collapsed in, and another was with her friend who was involved in the same car crash, who eventually died.

I have no idea how these experiences happen, but it does provide some evidence of a possible afterlife. All 3 said they now believe in afterlife and don't fear death.

 

[Total_Juddshanks]

One of the universal things about people is how awkward and uncomfortable they get when trying to discuss death.

I think the simplest way of thinking about is this - humanity has been around for 40 000-50 000 years or so, of which 6000 or so have some sort of written history. You have maybe an 85 year stake in that total, of which you will spend the first 20 getting your nappies changed and eyebrows pierced, and the last 15 getting your nappies changed and rambling incoherently about young people with eyebrow piercings. We all have about 50 remotely useful years.

In other words, you will experience and have a capacity to directly influence about 1000th of all human existence and culture. In other words, if all of human history is 2 pages of single spaced 11 pt font, the time for which you will be alive would be one word.

With that in mind, the only sensible course of action seems to be to, in whatever small or large way you can, try to stamp your mark on history and make life a bit safer, more convenient or more pleasant for the next generation.

I actually see that as a huge motivator. When you get to your 50s and 60s, you will start to realise the clock is winding down, and your capacity, in terms of energy, intellect, and ability to concentrate will wind down with it. At 29, I'm faced with the reality that I only really have 2 or 3 decades left to paint the sistine chapel, invent the combine harvester or grind Carthage into the dust- or even just to raise a few extra human beings who don't grow up to be complete deadshits and might do any of the above.

I think if you get to that point of retirement age not having experienced the things you want to experience and made any positive contribution to human existence death would seem very scary. So when I think about death, its a motivator to get out of bed and get off the PS3.

 

[Silent Alarm]

The last five minutes of 'LOST' has removed any fears I had.

I imaging heaven to be like a resort I visited last year at Port Douglas.

You get up, have breakfast, go down to the pool and float around with a bourborn and your Mrs and immediate family. All the important people from your life live at the Resort. No one works, all you do is swim, drink, eat and have fun. It never rains and the sky is blue everyday.

But you'd need some bad.

Swimming and drinking isn't as good when you've never experienced anything negative.

You'll get bored of the fun and laziness and it'll become a chore in itself.

Wow, I wasn't the only person that though this!

I recently watched an episode of I survived: Beyond and Back, and this just provided real intrigue to the thought of afterlife.

Each episode features 3 people, who experienced near death experiences, and all three had their heart stop for well over 5 minutes. The youngest guy, who was about 16 at the time, had his heart stop for around 15 minutes I think.

It's fascinating hearing peoples experiences when they have "died".

One spoke about seeing their dead mother and grandmother, another could see their unconscious body and was "walking" through the school that they collapsed in, and another was with her friend who was involved in the same car crash, who eventually died.

I have no idea how these experiences happen, but it does provide some evidence of a possible afterlife. All 3 said they now believe in afterlife and don't fear death.

Probably just the chemicals expelling out of their brains. Of course, I nor anyone else genuinely know this, but it fits in with my atheistic view. Seeing your life flash before your eyes or whatever is simply the expelling of everything you've collected. Everything you've seen, heard, loved, whatever... it's like it's made into paper mache, and when you're dying, it's being smashed and all the bits of paper (memories) are just flying out. Y'know. Your body just releases the chemicals that it has left, because there's no use for these chemicals once your dead.

 

[nicky]

What does it matter what may be important to self?
The standard order of things would be family, friends, community, country, world with self generally mixed up the top end of things.

Re. death?
Most don't want to confront a non-existence for thinking that they're lives are worthy of perpetuating for some bigger purpose.
That part always makes me smile just a little.

so arrogant.

 

[Byron_Clanger]

I thought about death a little bit yesterday since I had to go to the Vet to put the family dog of 12 years down, shattered but I know she's in a better place now with no more pain

 

[Silent Alarm]

I thought about death a little bit yesterday since I had to go to the Vet to put the family dog of 12 years down, shattered but I know she's in a better place now with no more pain

But is she in a better place?

 

[nicky]

I thought about death a little bit yesterday since I had to go to the Vet to put the family dog of 12 years down, shattered but I know she's in a better place now with no more pain

We have a family dog which i don't have much to do with but adore him - had him since i was 18 but he lives with my parents. It will break my heart when he dies.
Anyway, my condolences. Losing a pet is damn hard.

 

[NarniMagic]

Interesting Topic. There was a period last year when one day it just dawned on me, I'm going to die. Sounds pretty stupid I know, but when start contemplating this singular thought, it starts to overwhelm you. I thought, what if there is an afterlife? This 'life' supposedly goes for eternity, literally FOREVER. Just think about existing forever, its too long a time period to even comprehend. But the alternative is nothing. And this is also pretty insane to comprehend. This engulfed me for a while as well and I started to fear death a bit, almost like I had discovered a dirty secret, that there's no point to any of this (life). I'm a pretty logical person, and had considered atheism for quite a long time but it was only at this point I started to think of the ramifications that come with by supposed 'belief'. Well to cut a long story short, after about a week or so, I pretty just got over it. I never think about death anymore, and it doesn't scare me in the slightest. I have become a pretty concrete atheist. But for anyone in this thread who does fear it still, this Bill Hicks video completely banished all these negative thoughts, and now I don't take life seriously at all. Just enjoy it, because it's just a ride.

 

[Silent Alarm]

^ Too right, mate. How old are you? You'll still think about death, but it won't be as consistent nor as scary. I'm in the same boat and those months of existentialism probably changed my outlook on life: It's a necessity in becoming adult, I think. As you said, you learn to acknowledge that life is short and everything is temporary. Yeah, you can say "what's the point?", but you can also try and do everything you want to... Why not?

 

[NarniMagic]

^ Too right, mate. How old are you? You'll still think about death, but it won't be as consistent nor as scary. I'm in the same boat and those months of existentialism probably changed my outlook on life: It's a necessity in becoming adult, I think. As you said, you learn to acknowledge that life is short and everything is temporary. Yeah, you can say "what's the point?", but you can also try and do everything you want to... Why not?

I'm 18 now, was 17 at the time. I can be a pretty obsessive person and always overthink things haha In a way I'm glad it happened when it did. I feel like I've already got a grasp on death and am able to accept the concept and not fear it. After all it happens to everyone. And seeing as theres no true "answer" that we actually know, there's no point worrying about it.

 

[Silent Alarm]

I'm 18 now, was 17 at the time. I can be a pretty obsessive person and always overthink things haha In a way I'm glad it happened when it did. I feel like I've already got a grasp on death and am able to accept the concept and not fear it. After all it happens to everyone. And seeing as theres no true "answer" that we actually know, there's no point worrying about it.

Aye, I was about 16/17 when it happened for me. I was quite a worrier and overthought everything, but in year 12, I became a lot more... chilled about everything. But yeah, I totally agree mate.

 

[HARKER]

Wow, I wasn't the only person that thought this!

I recently watched an episode of I survived: Beyond and Back, and this just provided real intrigue to the thought of afterlife.
Each episode features 3 people, who experienced near death experiences, and all three had their heart stop for well over 5 minutes. The youngest guy, who was about 16 at the time, had his heart stop for around 15 minutes I think.

It's fascinating hearing peoples experiences when they have "died".

The brain takes care of a lot of things for us and we have enough chemicals ready for release to tend to many a situation.

DMT is the only thing that really interests me and the role it plays to take care of such things for us.
Not sure where it starts nor where it ends but for now at least, I'm looking forward to science explaining things a little further.

 

[HARKER]

There was a period last year when one day it just dawned on me, I'm going to die.

No big deal because you didn't have any say in the matter and now that you're here that's just part of the process.

But pick up your new-born and look into their eyes and as excited as you may be for their life, remember that you've also sentenced them to death.
Now you have a responsibility.

 

[HARKER]

so arrogant.

Which part exactly?
I know. The part where we may not be important. Right?

Just for you then: You are very important. Feeling better?

 

[Silent Alarm]

No big deal because you didn't have any say in the matter and now that you're here that's just part of the process.

But pick up your new-born and look into their eyes and as excited as you may be for their life, remember that you've also sentenced them to death.
Now you have a responsibility.

But with death likely no different to pre-birth, is that a bad thing at all?

 

[HARKER]

But with death likely no different to pre-birth, is that a bad thing at all?

Don't know.

It's just that shitty part in between that we seem to rejoice so much about, that is the problem.

 

[nicky]

Which part exactly?
I know. The part where we may not be important. Right?

Just for you then: You are very important. Feeling better?

your post came across that you have a firmer grasp on reality. it came across as very arrogant.

 

[HARKER]

your post came across that you have a firmer grasp on reality. it came across as very arrogant.

Nicky, I have no idea on reality, but just some strong personal opinions.
Having said that, what you are resolute about today may just be what you laugh at tomorrow.

Until we're unequivocally sure of anything, we're really not sure and even when you're 100% sure, leave the door ajar, just a little bit. Just in case.

 

[fairdinkum]

But with death likely no different to pre-birth, is that a bad thing at all?

How do you figure?

 

[nicky]

Nicky, I have no idea on reality, but just some strong personal opinions.
Having said that, what you are resolute about today may just be what you laugh at tomorrow.

Until we're unequivocally sure of anything, we're really not sure and even when you're 100% sure, leave the door ajar, just a little bit. Just in case.

yeah ok.

I think there are flag waving atheists whom celebrate being comfortable with the fact that we're not important and then look down on others for needing to believe that there is more to existence.

The arrogance in that pisses me off.

 

[Igloo]

It's fascinating hearing peoples experiences when they have "died".

I've been "dead" before. 4 times in a span 5 weeks. I can't differentiate between them, because I was in a coma the whole time, but even now I have very vivid memories of being in the coma, and definitely of when things were going bad and I was close to death.

When doctors say you can hear people talking to you when you are in a coma, that is 100% true. I was 12 at the time, and was in hospital, and mum stayed up there with me. While I was in a coma, she read Lord of the Rings to me, and while she did it I had what I guess you would call dreams about it. Including a very strange one where Bilbo Baggins was giving me ice cubes under a bridge There are plenty of other examples, but I wont divulge.

I think when close to actual death, the dreams turned into horrific terrors, some being torturous, some being near death experiences. They only happened a few times, so that is what I've put it down to. When I was stable, the dreams were just normal, some being drug induced freak outs

I can remember at least 20 dreams I had in that 5 week period of being in a coma, and it's a very weird feeling to have. Memories of something when you aren't conscious to experience the actual events, but actually knowing what's going on, in a way.

 

[Silent Alarm]

How do you figure?

Both just nothingness, or, variations on nothingness. I can't remember my pre-birth so it's certainly a type of existence/non-existence different to my current state. I personally think that's all death is.

 

[HARKER]

yeah ok.

I think there are flag waving atheists whom celebrate being comfortable with the fact that we're not important and then look down on others for needing to believe that there is more to existence.

The arrogance in that pisses me off.

Not where I was going.

Our entire existence (irrespective of religion, race etc.) revolves around the premise of us being important.
What if we found out that we weren't important?

How would we look upon life/death then?

 

[HARKER]

Both just nothingness, or, variations on nothingness. I can't remember my pre-birth so it's certainly a type of existence/non-existence different to my current state. I personally think that's all death is.

That's not an entirely popular notion and for obvious reasons.
We don't like to think that our little time on earth is rather futile and hence we've been forced to imagine a grander design for ourselves.

I've wondered how we, as a race, would deal with things if it was proved as an unequivocal fact that there are no gods and there is no life beyond the life we know.
Would we become more peaceful or violent? Maybe we're just not ready to know yet.

 

[nicky]

Not where I was going.

Ok, sorry then.

Our entire existence (irrespective of religion, race etc.) revolves around the premise of us being important.
What if we found out that we weren't important?

How would we look upon life/death then?

The day to day noise of doing stuff, like working etc are done not so much of the belief that we're important but because what else is there to do?