how do you confront death?
when you think about dying, do you suddenly want to live differently, focusing more on the present?
when you think about dying, do you suddenly want to live differently, focusing more on the present?
"The beautiful thing that awaits us all..."
I just recognize that any day, though hopefully much later than now, I won't be living anymore. It's not sad--it's just what happens next. While I am scared of the pain of dying I realize that pain is fleeting. I hear that in the final throes of death our brains let DMT wash over us. The molecule that helps us dream is also present in death and I find that kind of nice. If this is true maybe I will see God and feel connected to all living things as I go on. Mostly I can't wait for the relief of non-existence. Another part is curious about the possibility of something after, although that belief is readily squashed.
But does it affect my life? Yes, but not any more than my atheism or political beliefs. I got one life to live, and nothing after, so I'm not going to spend my time gathering money or fame or prestige. What's the point? I'm just a man, I will die. Any offspring, which is extremely unlikely, will die too. If I'm gonna work my entire life towards something, it isn't going to be a retirement plan, or diversified investments, it will be towards making sure those that come after me will be able to live in a fair world where the water won't fucking kill them.
I just recognize that any day, though hopefully much later than now, I won't be living anymore. It's not sad--it's just what happens next. While I am scared of the pain of dying I realize that pain is fleeting. I hear that in the final throes of death our brains let DMT wash over us. The molecule that helps us dream is also present in death and I find that kind of nice. If this is true maybe I will see God and feel connected to all living things as I go on. Mostly I can't wait for the relief of non-existence. Another part is curious about the possibility of something after, although that belief is readily squashed.
But does it affect my life? Yes, but not any more than my atheism or political beliefs. I got one life to live, and nothing after, so I'm not going to spend my time gathering money or fame or prestige. What's the point? I'm just a man, I will die. Any offspring, which is extremely unlikely, will die too. If I'm gonna work my entire life towards something, it isn't going to be a retirement plan, or diversified investments, it will be towards making sure those that come after me will be able to live in a fair world where the water won't fucking kill them.
having nearly died a couple of times...
i've been able to confront it with my eyes open and ready for whatever happens. and what that really comes down to is doing everything you can to improve your odds of avoiding it, while accepting the fact that, that just isn't very much.
as for the day after...
i've said since highschool i will do my utmost to avoid dying with regrets. that's good enough for me.
i've been able to confront it with my eyes open and ready for whatever happens. and what that really comes down to is doing everything you can to improve your odds of avoiding it, while accepting the fact that, that just isn't very much.
as for the day after...
i've said since highschool i will do my utmost to avoid dying with regrets. that's good enough for me.
I've thought about this for a month, and still don't really have an answer :-/
To me, death is non-existence, I don't really have a problem with that, it just ... happens ... I'm not sure if I need to "confront" it as such.
I will admit I find the heat death of the universe (which is quite probably the "end" of the universe) frightening, it makes everything seem so ... meaningless in the long run... I try not to think about it, since I'm not sure how to deal with that. Sometimes I envy the religious people, or those that still cling to the steady state universe.
I'm curious how you "nearly died a couple of times" nny.
To me, death is non-existence, I don't really have a problem with that, it just ... happens ... I'm not sure if I need to "confront" it as such.
I will admit I find the heat death of the universe (which is quite probably the "end" of the universe) frightening, it makes everything seem so ... meaningless in the long run... I try not to think about it, since I'm not sure how to deal with that. Sometimes I envy the religious people, or those that still cling to the steady state universe.
I'm curious how you "nearly died a couple of times" nny.
it's interesting to me that the death of the universe makes you uncomfortable, while your own mortality does not.
By stepping back from the railroad tracks.
> it's interesting to me that the death of the universe makes you uncomfortable, while your own mortality does not.
(Very) belated response, but: it just makes everything seem so ... meaningless ...
I have no problems with doing my little bit, influence those around me in positive ways (I hope), and eventually whisp away and be forgotten. My contributions will live on in those that I influences, and those that they influence, etc.
But what is the point?
If the steady state model would be true, the universe would be an ever-continuing. This would be nice. And my contributions would indirectly, in small ways, continue to influence the future course of the universe.
But that's not how it is. The end is that not only humanity will eventually die out, *everything* *MUST* die out by law of nature. There is no way around it.
What is the goal? Why spend the effort? At some point there will be literally ... nothing ...
I guess this is why the steady state model held out for so long, in spite of overwhelming evidence against it. It's just so much more appealing...
I know it's a very nihilistic position, and it's not something I live by day-to-day, but when asked "what do you think about death?" then well, this is it...
(Very) belated response, but: it just makes everything seem so ... meaningless ...
I have no problems with doing my little bit, influence those around me in positive ways (I hope), and eventually whisp away and be forgotten. My contributions will live on in those that I influences, and those that they influence, etc.
But what is the point?
If the steady state model would be true, the universe would be an ever-continuing. This would be nice. And my contributions would indirectly, in small ways, continue to influence the future course of the universe.
But that's not how it is. The end is that not only humanity will eventually die out, *everything* *MUST* die out by law of nature. There is no way around it.
What is the goal? Why spend the effort? At some point there will be literally ... nothing ...
I guess this is why the steady state model held out for so long, in spite of overwhelming evidence against it. It's just so much more appealing...
I know it's a very nihilistic position, and it's not something I live by day-to-day, but when asked "what do you think about death?" then well, this is it...
Everything is meaningless on a long enough time scale. Embrace it! Everyone will be forgotten, every action will be lost in the end. Enjoy what you have when you have it and don't miss out on a single thing.
I find it really comforting to know that I'm gonna get eaten by worms and contribute to the world one way or another.