Poll: What do you think would be worse when it comes to dying?

[Samantha Burt]

I really think context is important here. I mean, suddenly would suck unless it was, like, a meteor strike or something, where you're just a pancake in the most awesome way possible. But knowing when it would be? That's a double-edged sword.

If it's tomorrow, that's horrible. You have no time to get affairs in order or mentally brace for the fact. Acceptance is the key, and it's not going to happen literally overnight.

Alternatively, it could be in fifty years. That'd be great. Do all the things you're afraid to do, because the worst is far away and set in stone. Have a long and happy life and die with no regrets.

Given the above two, the question falls, to those here who want to answer: Would you know, if you could?

 

[game-lover]

I have no idea. Each has major cons.

See, the problem with the sudden is that you also implied violent. So there'd be pain. I have no idea how brief but it would be there. Those last moments before you died would be filled with agony. I don't want that.

The issue with knowing before hand is all about the fear. I'm afraid to die so this is a big one for me. I believe just being forced to wait for the day you die would instill much fear and dread.

Granted, the sudden stuff could also have fear. Car accident: that brief instant of shock and fear when you make the impact. See the car or object a moment before you hit. Or the car swerves and flips over. But I believe the fear wouldn't last as long as the slower, knowing you're going to die in the relatively near future.

 

[not_you]

Ok... this is how I see it...

Suddenly is the better choice, so that you don't feel the anxiety of knowing "I'm going to die in (x) days/hours"

But knowing exactly when is much better with the "Goodbye everyone, don't mourn me, we've had some good times together"

So, I don't know... If you know HOW you're going to die along with when/where, it'd be nicer, I mean... Anything that's slow and painful would be the worst of all...

As for the choice of the two...? I don't know what I'd prefer...

Probably knowing when it's going to happen... I mean, let's face it, this is probably the likely scenario anyway, so, may as well organise everything before it happens.... Right?

 

[Robot Number V]

Well.....If you think about it, if it's sudden and you don't know it's coming, then you don't suffer at all. You're just alive one second and then....Not. Sure, it sucks that you're dead, but you'll never know that. Because you're dead.

On the other hand, if you know exactly when it's going to happen, you pretty much just get to stew in that knowledge for however long you have. Sure, you've got time to get your things in order, but that seems like a small consolation when combined with the mental torture of knowing exactly how much time you have left.

Spoiler: Wow, this is quite a depressing first post. I think I'll lighten the mood a little

Yeah, that's a bit better.

 

[Pebblig]

I think suddenly would be the worst, especially for other people around you as it would come out of nowhere for them and you. At least if you knew when and where you could sort your shit out, although I suppose knowing when and where could be more traumatic for everyone.