Thoughts on death?

[Velvo]

I can think of no substantial evidence to support the ancient assertion of an afterlife, however much I want to believe that after I die, some thinking, feeling part of me will continue. The thinking, feeling part of us humans falls apart in such a complete way that it is difficult to believe that, even if the conscious component of the human experience were to continue, it would continue to identify itself as human.

However, there is some tepid evidence for paranormal activity that should be considered. While truly scientific evidence for such occurences are rare, they do exist. I think there may be some mechanism which accounts for such circumstances (evolved capacity to quantumly entangle brain patterns, perhaps even with outer materials or other people?) but we must, of course, further research the problem.

Since we do not understand why humans experience consciousness, I don't think that anyone is qualified to talk about exactly what happens after you die. Surely, you wouldn't be 'you' anymore, and in all likelyhood not at all human, but I'm inclined to believe that the phenomenon of conscious experience is not unique to humans, or unique to animals, or even unique to life. As it is yet unexplained, the simplest explaination is that it is simply an integral part of the whole universe.

So consciousness may actually be a result of quantum-mechanical events? That's a very interesting idea. I myself will believe in ghosts when I see them, but my mother and several relatives believe in them.

It's a possibility that has been explored in some serious scientific sense, but not very thouroughly. I think it's probably the most reasonable, if far-fetched, mechanism for all sorts of purported paranormal activity. I mean, it makes sense that such a strange and far reaching physical phenomenon as quantum entanglement would be taken advantage of by the forces of evolution, useful as it would be.

 

[TimeLord]

Ascension

[sub]What? You asked[/sub]

 

[Daniel_Rosamilia]

I personally think death is the end of life, and that there is nothing afterward. Death is the ultimate equalizer.

You do speak a truth.
I found an equation on this precise topic. It goes like this:

Existence = life/death = death/life

EDIT: I'm absolutely shit-scared of death.
I have the occasional panic attack when I think about it at certain times.

 

[iLikeHippos]

I think it's very beautiful to look at life that there'll be salvation in the end, depending if you've been "good" or "bad".

But, you could call me a hopeless nihilist (Easily mixed up with Nazi, so please don't), because having a soul, only obligated to the humans, just doesn't make sense to me. I just think we're a part of the eco system, nothing more.
You can blame faith, curse the things that made you dying, but in the end...
You just got to let go.

 

[Uberjoe19]

I can think of no substantial evidence to support the ancient assertion of an afterlife, however much I want to believe that after I die, some thinking, feeling part of me will continue. The thinking, feeling part of us humans falls apart in such a complete way that it is difficult to believe that, even if the conscious component of the human experience were to continue, it would continue to identify itself as human.

However, there is some tepid evidence for paranormal activity that should be considered. While truly scientific evidence for such occurences are rare, they do exist. I think there may be some mechanism which accounts for such circumstances (evolved capacity to quantumly entangle brain patterns, perhaps even with outer materials or other people?) but we must, of course, further research the problem.

Since we do not understand why humans experience consciousness, I don't think that anyone is qualified to talk about exactly what happens after you die. Surely, you wouldn't be 'you' anymore, and in all likelyhood not at all human, but I'm inclined to believe that the phenomenon of conscious experience is not unique to humans, or unique to animals, or even unique to life. As it is yet unexplained, the simplest explaination is that it is simply an integral part of the whole universe.

So consciousness may actually be a result of quantum-mechanical events? That's a very interesting idea. I myself will believe in ghosts when I see them, but my mother and several relatives believe in them.

It's a possibility that has been explored in some serious scientific sense, but not very thouroughly. I think it's probably the most reasonable, if far-fetched, mechanism for all sorts of purported paranormal activity. I mean, it makes sense that such a strange and far reaching physical phenomenon as quantum entanglement would be taken advantage of by the forces of evolution, useful as it would be.

Plants have taken advantage of the laws of quantum mechanics, so why not us, right?

 

[ultrachicken]

I personally think death is the end of life, and that there is nothing afterward. Death is the ultimate equalizer.

You do speak a truth.
I found an equation on this precise topic. It goes like this:

Existence = life/death = death/life

EDIT: I'm absolutely shit-scared of death.
I have the occasional panic attack when I think about it at certain times.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that flips out occasionally. After my freak out session I become emotionally dead, then I come back to normal after repressing my memories of my revelation, then something happens to remind me, and an endless cycle ensues.

 

[Velvo]

I personally think death is the end of life, and that there is nothing afterward. Death is the ultimate equalizer.

You do speak a truth.
I found an equation on this precise topic. It goes like this:

Existence = life/death = death/life

EDIT: I'm absolutely shit-scared of death.
I have the occasional panic attack when I think about it at certain times.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that flips out occasionally. After my freak out session I become emotionally dead, then I come back to normal after repressing my memories of my revelation, then something happens to remind me, and an endless cycle ensues.

If I may quote Carl Sagan, "The world is so exquisite, with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there's little good evidence. Far better, it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look Death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides."

Good advice, methinks. Besides, they'll probably find a cure for old age in your lifetime. And if they get cold fusion power generators of He-3 to work, the human race will be all set for a while! Death can be scary, yes, but once dead you won't fear it any longer, I'm pretty sure. Make it a reason to enjoy life, rare as it is.

 

[ultrachicken]

I personally think death is the end of life, and that there is nothing afterward. Death is the ultimate equalizer.

You do speak a truth.
I found an equation on this precise topic. It goes like this:

Existence = life/death = death/life

EDIT: I'm absolutely shit-scared of death.
I have the occasional panic attack when I think about it at certain times.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that flips out occasionally. After my freak out session I become emotionally dead, then I come back to normal after repressing my memories of my revelation, then something happens to remind me, and an endless cycle ensues.

If I may quote Carl Sagan, "The world is so exquisite, with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there's little good evidence. Far better, it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look Death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides."

Good advice, methinks. Besides, they'll probably find a cure for old age in your lifetime. And if they get cold fusion power generators of He-3 to work, the human race will be all set for a while! Death can be scary, yes, but once dead you won't fear it any longer, I'm pretty sure. Make it a reason to enjoy life, rare as it is.

Ah, but you see, I'm one of the breed that sees the cup as half empty.
Wherever I see something good in life, I see something three times as bad. I feel no appreciation for this world
And saying that we will cure old age in my lifetime seems highly unlikely.

 

[Angryman101]

I believe in a cycle of life. The life, love, and energy inside me will be transferred back into the world once I die, and perhaps will be reborn in others.
Recently I've been really wishing to not be reborn. Death will be a welcome rest after all this hustle and bustle you go through in life. To quote The Sandman quoting an old egyptian song,
"Death stands before me today/like the hope of health for a sick man,/like stepping out into the open air after/a time of suffering./Death stands before me today/like the aroma of incense,/like sitting under the sail on/the Day of the Great Wind./Death stands before me today/like the odor of lotos-blossoms,/like the first moments on the/edge of sweet drunkenness./Death stands before me today/like the end of a long rain,/like the homecoming of a soldier/a long time at war./Death stands before me today/like the clarity of heaven,/like the answer long-desired/to a heavy riddle./And Death stands before me today/like the way a man feels about home/after he has spent many years/in bondage."

 

[Darth_Dude]

You load your last save and try again.

Yeah, Everyone wants to try again.

OT: Heaven here I come! hopefully..

 

[Willwillwritehiswill]

Critical Mission Failure.

 

[Adzma]

Probably just like everything was before you were born.

 

[ben---neb]

Well, I'm a Christian so if you die and your saved your soul goes to Heaven, if not you go to Hell.

Then Judgement Day comes and we're all given new bodies and judged before everyone and again, if you have been saved you go to Heaven and if your not saved you go to Hell.

 

[twostripe]

what if the egyptians or the greeks were wight and we're all screwed for heresy
you cant prove it wont happen

 

[twostripe]

I like to believe there is something else after "This" life.

Like a bonus level or something.

i lol'd for real at that "bonus level" you win the topic

 

[ben---neb]

I can think of no substantial evidence to support the ancient assertion of an afterlife,

But considering that the Afterlife is a supernatural phenemom just what kind of evidence were you expecting? Science is great for the natural world but can neither prove nor disprove anything supernatural.

To find evidence we would have to search for a revelation which I believe to be in the Bible. As God's word it provides with more than enough evidence to support the existence of a Heaven and Hell.

 

[Madaxeman101]

Credits roll consisting of family members and any children you conceived

 

[S.R.S.]

To die would be an awfully big adventure. Also I hate him he killed my dog.

 

[Velvo]

I personally think death is the end of life, and that there is nothing afterward. Death is the ultimate equalizer.

You do speak a truth.
I found an equation on this precise topic. It goes like this:

Existence = life/death = death/life

EDIT: I'm absolutely shit-scared of death.
I have the occasional panic attack when I think about it at certain times.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that flips out occasionally. After my freak out session I become emotionally dead, then I come back to normal after repressing my memories of my revelation, then something happens to remind me, and an endless cycle ensues.

If I may quote Carl Sagan, "The world is so exquisite, with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there's little good evidence. Far better, it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look Death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides."

Good advice, methinks. Besides, they'll probably find a cure for old age in your lifetime. And if they get cold fusion power generators of He-3 to work, the human race will be all set for a while! Death can be scary, yes, but once dead you won't fear it any longer, I'm pretty sure. Make it a reason to enjoy life, rare as it is.

Ah, but you see, I'm one of the breed that sees the cup as half empty.
Wherever I see something good in life, I see something three times as bad. I feel no appreciation for this world
And saying that we will cure old age in my lifetime seems highly unlikely.

Sounds like you're not exactly optimistic. Completely undestandable in this world we live in. And surely you can't ignore the terribleness in the world, but to dwell on it is certainly not helpful. The best that we can do is acknowledge the inhumanity, the selfishness, the pain, and to move past it and see the good things too and seek to make things more that way.

Even if you can't be one of those people yourself, be encouraged to know that those people are out there, even if they have different ideas about 'better.'

And about curing old age, I don't know how old you already are, but it's quite possible that within 50 years we could see technologies able to return people to the bodies of their 30's (enzymes that repair aging genetic code, reduced in number by evolution to avoid overpopulation, could possibly be increased to maintain code indefinitely, among other possibilities). Or maybe humanity will just get owned. I dunno.