- #31
rootX
- 478
- 4
whitay said:
And, I will decide who is evil
Can Humans Mentally Handle Immortality?
- Thread starter Ferris_bg
- Start date
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion explores the implications of potential human immortality, particularly focusing on mental readiness for living indefinitely, the effects of experiencing everything possible, and the challenges of knowledge saturation. It encompasses theoretical considerations, speculative scenarios, and philosophical reflections on life and existence.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants propose that if humans could stop aging, they might struggle with mental saturation after experiencing everything possible.
- Others argue that there would always be new knowledge to acquire, suggesting that one could pursue degrees in various fields to keep engaged.
- A participant questions the assumption that stopping aging guarantees immortality, citing risks from accidents and diseases.
- Concerns are raised about the potential for brain damage and identity loss if brain replacement becomes necessary in the future.
- Some participants reference literature, such as Greg Bear's works, to illustrate how long-lived individuals might engage in creative pursuits like inventing languages.
- There is speculation about how much individuals might forget over time and how quickly this could happen.
- One participant mentions a claim about life expectancy reaching around 2000 years if aging stops, expressing a desire to live until protons decay.
- Another viewpoint suggests that boredom may not be an issue if the collective knowledge of humanity continues to grow, despite the potential for slow discovery rates.
- Concerns about health risks, such as cancer and heavy metal accumulation, are discussed in relation to prolonged lifespans.
- Some participants express a desire to live indefinitely, while others are content with the current state of existence and the natural cycle of life and death.
- Questions arise about the implications of immortality on reproduction and resource availability, suggesting that continuous reproduction could lead to new challenges.
- References to literary works, such as Heinlein's "Time Enough for Love," highlight the existential reflections of characters who have lived for extended periods.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views on the implications of immortality, with no clear consensus on whether humans would be mentally prepared for such a reality or how boredom and identity would be affected. Multiple competing perspectives remain throughout the discussion.
Contextual Notes
The discussion includes speculative scenarios about future medical advancements and their potential effects on human identity and experience. There are unresolved questions regarding the long-term psychological impacts of immortality and the nature of knowledge acquisition over extended lifespans.
And, I will decide who is evil
- #32
Noxide
- 120
- 0
I do.
- #33
bassplayer142
- 431
- 0
I read that if the whole population was forced to reproduce at a older age, then we would extend our life expectancy. The people who die in middle or young age would have to survive late life affecting genes. But if they reproduce before these late life genes were to apply, than it doesn't matter what happens to them after they reproduce. Tell me if this is not clear, but it does make sense in a way.
- #34
Matterwave
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Gold Member
- 3,971
- 329
I think the question is "indefinite" or "forever"?
I'd have no real problem with having an indefinite life-span. Meaning, that I don't age and won't die unless some catastrophic event kills me. There'd be plenty of stuff to keep you interested for that (even 1 million years or more). But, as far as forever...that's a damn long time. Will I outlive even the Universe? Cus after trillions of years, all the stars will have stopped shinning and I'd be stuck in eternal darkness for the next googol years as all the black holes die of Hawking radiation. I'd be seriously seriously depressed.
Maybe I could pass the time if I had some companions with me...are other immortals allowed in this scenario?
I'd have no real problem with having an indefinite life-span. Meaning, that I don't age and won't die unless some catastrophic event kills me. There'd be plenty of stuff to keep you interested for that (even 1 million years or more). But, as far as forever...that's a damn long time. Will I outlive even the Universe? Cus after trillions of years, all the stars will have stopped shinning and I'd be stuck in eternal darkness for the next googol years as all the black holes die of Hawking radiation. I'd be seriously seriously depressed.
Maybe I could pass the time if I had some companions with me...are other immortals allowed in this scenario?
- #35
Noxide
- 120
- 0
bassplayer142 said:
This is obvious. The fact that you think it's new information speaks volumes about you.
- #36
jobyts
- 226
- 60
Pick me, pick me...
My bad... I was a bit late in responding. Are all the slots filled now?
- #37
rolerbe
- 103
- 3
hamster143 said:
If you live forever, you will have plenty of time to devote to the problem of transferring your conciousness to an expanded medium (e.g. a suitably larger 'electronic' brain). Brain 2.0
- #38
bassplayer142
- 431
- 0
Noxide said:
And what exactly does that supposed to mean. My only intent was to spread information to people who may not have known it. Any sarcasm from anyone is less constructive than so called obvious knowledge.
Similar threads
- · Replies 33 ·
- · Replies 10 ·
- · Replies 67 ·
- · Replies 22 ·
Writing: Input Wanted
Are Clone Ships a Better Alternative for Space Colonization?
- · Replies 30 ·
- · Replies 5 ·