Outrageous way to be put to rest

  • Thread starter Thread starter uperkurk
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Rest
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a hypothetical scenario regarding post-mortem arrangements, specifically the idea of being launched into space in a sealed container with the hope of being discovered and revived by advanced alien species. Participants explore the feasibility, implications, and potential flaws of this concept, touching on themes of preservation, technology, and the nature of extraterrestrial life.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express that the plan is expensive and unlikely to succeed, questioning the practicality of space travel for a deceased body.
  • Concerns are raised about the deterioration of the body even in an airtight container, suggesting that deep-freezing might be necessary to prevent decay.
  • Several participants point out that no material can be truly heat-proof, and the likelihood of crashing or being destroyed in space is high.
  • There is skepticism about the ability of advanced alien technology to revive a human body, with some arguing that such technology would likely be tailored to their own species.
  • Some participants humorously speculate about the potential fate of the body, including being treated as food by aliens, while others challenge the assumptions behind these ideas.
  • A few participants suggest alternative ideas, such as funding a foundation for preservation on Earth rather than space travel.
  • One participant mentions the possibility of a future business model for sending bodies into space, reflecting on the evolving nature of technology and societal norms.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus, as multiple competing views remain regarding the feasibility and implications of the proposed plan. While some acknowledge the imaginative aspect of the idea, others highlight significant practical and ethical concerns.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unresolved questions about the technology required for preservation and revival, the assumptions about alien life and their capabilities, and the practicalities of space travel logistics.

uperkurk
Messages
167
Reaction score
0
Outrageous way to be put to rest :D

I was thinking the other day about when I die, I have come to the conclusion of what I want but how feasible is it right know I have no idea but here goes.

I want to be put inside a completely air tight, radiation proof, heat proof containing, shot up into space in the same direction as the Voyagers. Who knows, maybe I could be traveling through space for a billion years and eventually, I could be discovered by an advanced alien species and if they're that advanced, they could bring me back to life :D

Maybe by the time I die there is a way to reserve the human body from ever decaying. I know all of this is totally unlikely but I'm dead, what do I have to lose?

Tell me why my plan is flawed :(
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org


Don't know that it's flawed, just damned expensive and incredibly unlikely to work. Do you have any idea how BIG space it?
 


Unless your dead lungs are completely evacuated (together with all the other innards that still contain air), your body will probably deteriorate even in an airtight container. Unless you're deep-frozen before things get yucky, but that would take quite a bit of last-minute coordination before you draw your last breath.
 


phinds said:
Don't know that it's flawed, just damned expensive and incredibly unlikely to work. Do you have any idea how BIG space it?

Yes I do, but once I'm dead I'm dead, and I could travel through space for even 10billion years, if space still exists then and it would just seem like 1 second to me...

I mean I'm dead anyway, if I'm not found the screw it, I really doesn't make much difference to me :D
 


If you aren't a billionaire, step 1 is to become one. That's about what the launch costs will be.
 


uperkurk said:
Tell me why my plan is flawed :(
Here are a few flaws:

1. No container or material is heat proof. I think you are more likely to plunge into a star and be destroyed, or crash into something, than to be found by other sentient beings (let alone ones with the technology to revive you.)

2. Even if you were found by beings with this technology, the technology would be meant for reviving their own species. Expecting that technology to work on a completely alien form of life (i.e. you) is a bit of a stretch, don't you think?

3. You are more likely to pay money to some charlatan who falsely claims to have a completely air tight, radiation proof, etc. container than to pay money to somebody who genuinely does have one. So your actions are encouraging and rewarding people to act dishonestly, thus making our society worse off. Do you really want that on your conscience?
 


Redbelly98 said:
Here are a few flaws:

1. No container or material is heat proof. I think you are more likely to plunge into a star and be destroyed, or crash into something, than to be found by other sentient beings (let alone ones with the technology to revive you.)

2. Even if you were found by beings with this technology, the technology would be meant for reviving their own species. Expecting that technology to work on a completely alien form of life (i.e. you) is a bit of a stretch, don't you think?

3. You are more likely to pay money to some charlatan who falsely claims to have a completely air tight, radiation proof, etc. container than to pay money to somebody who genuinely does have one. So your actions are encouraging and rewarding people to act dishonestly, thus making our society worse off. Do you really want that on your conscience?

Well when you put it like that...
 


uperkurk said:
I was thinking the other day about when I die, I have come to the conclusion of what I want but how feasible is it right know I have no idea but here goes.

I want to be put inside a completely air tight, radiation proof, heat proof containing, shot up into space in the same direction as the Voyagers. Who knows, maybe I could be traveling through space for a billion years and eventually, I could be discovered by an advanced alien species and if they're that advanced, they could bring me back to life :D

Maybe by the time I die there is a way to reserve the human body from ever decaying. I know all of this is totally unlikely but I'm dead, what do I have to lose?

Tell me why my plan is flawed :(


Makes sense to me. Have the capsule give off some sort of signal and the aliens would find it easily.

Reviving your body would be quite difficult today, but these aliens could be a billion years of scientific progress ahead of us, in which case it might be child's play.
 


By the time you are found by aliens, you will be space jerky. Perhaps the aliens will find you tasty and want more. They might track your path back to Earth where they will find the source to satisfy their new jerky habit.

Please don't do this...
 
  • #10


chemisttree said:
By the time you are found by aliens, you will be space jerky. Perhaps the aliens will find you tasty and want more. They might track your path back to Earth where they will find the source to satisfy their new jerky habit.

Please don't do this...

Pure speciesism and stereotyping of aliens. Like they would think a million year old alien corpse tasted good.
 
  • #11


ImaLooser said:
Pure speciesism and stereotyping of aliens. Like they would think a million year old alien corpse tasted good.
So uperkurk's body is supposed to decompose enough to the point of tasting bad, but not so much that it can't be brought back to life? :confused:
 
  • #12


It's funny. I actually just had this exact thought the other day. I know that the cost is prohibitive, but who knows? Perhaps by the time we die? Or maybe some eccentric will make this into a business and send people up in bulk?

But then I thought: What if I do reach intelligent life that has the technology to bring me back and they just torture me for eternity for their own amusement? What a bummer that would be...
 
  • #13


Saladsamurai said:
It's funny. I actually just had this exact thought the other day. I know that the cost is prohibitive, but who knows? Perhaps by the time we die? Or maybe some eccentric will make this into a business and send people up in bulk?

But then I thought: What if I do reach intelligent life that has the technology to bring me back and they just torture me for eternity for their own amusement? What a bummer that would be...

Yes that would be terrible, but think it would be pretty unlikely. You definitely wouldn't be brought back to life and then released but I'm sure they'd keep you alive for tests and trying to find out all kinds of things about you.

My life long dream is to find out 100% if aliens exist :D
 
  • #14


Redbelly98 said:
So uperkurk's body is supposed to decompose enough to the point of tasting bad, but not so much that it can't be brought back to life? :confused:

Like a strong cheese and gourmet.
 
  • #15


Redbelly98 said:
So uperkurk's body is supposed to decompose enough to the point of tasting bad, but not so much that it can't be brought back to life? :confused:

They wouldm't bring his corpse back to life, silly. They'd extract the DNA and clone it.

Would YOU eat a million-year-old alien corpse?
 
  • #16


Be partiotic, believe in Earth science! For the same amount of money, you could start a foundation dedicated to preserving your frozen body on the Earth, with enough left to reward those who revive you in the future!
 
  • #17


I assume the whole "heat-proof" bits are so that no external causes can get in and kill you. But that means you're completely cut off from the outside, that nothing could get in. Including aliens.

Lovely idea in theory, but a bit stupid and impractical in practice.
 
  • #18


This isn't what this forum is for. This forum is for discussion of sci-fi and fantasy stories/tv/movies. This forum is not for speculation to bypass the forum rules.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
6K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
6K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 98 ·
4
Replies
98
Views
9K
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
8K