Originally posted by CalJustGood call.
OK, have now plowed through all three pages and most disappointingly, no insults and aggression to moderate! (Or even violent disagreements).
Since I cannot participate myself, I could just urge the respondents to consider the OP: clearly, FMF is talking about immortality and the pros and cons of such an existence.
As such, having it [i]temporal ...[text shortened]... immortal, just very old.
So, the question remains "Who would want to live forever, and why?"
I personally would reject the elixir. Risk averse as I am, the prospect of trading in a guarantee that at some point I will not care about whether it would be nice to live forever for a guarantee that I will never be able to put an end to it all if things go south is too big a deal.
Moreover, I could put in place some caveats that my memory be wiped after every N years, or I am given an infinite amount of opportunities to keep myself busy, entertained, and so on, but I do not trust myself to miss out some detail that will come to haunt me (forever more) after some length of time has elapsed. That's in addition to DeepThought's point about the inevitable heat death of the universe.
I might be tempted with an elixir of live for N years longer but that's not what's on the table here
28 Nov 14
Originally posted by LemonJelloI agree that without further information it would be a risky proposition, and I also agree that even with further information, we are simply not really capable of understanding the conditions and making a good judgment, unless the 'further information' consists of guarantees of the form used for heaven and hell ie 'you will be eternally happy' or 'you will suffer worse than the worst imaginable suffering'.
Being somewhat risk averse, I would think that pulling the trigger on taking the elixir without having very strong assurances that constrain the life conditions would be an enormous risk.
But without sufficient information to allay the concerns, if hell or its equivalent wasn't specifically stated as the probable outcome, I would take the elixir. Although I am to some extent conflicted about whether to care greatly for my distant future self.
I think this comes down to a sort of reverse Pascals Wager. If the possible suffering is infinitely bad, do you bet against it even if the probability of that suffering is extremely low?
I believe several posters have decided the risk is too great, whereas I have decided the potential rewards outweigh the risks.
29 Nov 14
Originally posted by FMFI would use it under two conditions: 1. I would take it along with my Maria, if we could have a consensus as regards this matter, and 2. We could be both able anytime, anywhere, anyhow to break free according to our convenience and die
[b]What sorts of conditions or assurances would be necessary or sufficient to make it worthwhile to consume an elixir of immortality?
I nominate CalJust! You don't have to accept of course... any discussion that may ensue... may ensue regardless.[/b]
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Unless I missed something (in which case I apologise in advance) at present we have only one vote FOR the elixir (twhitehead) and half-a-dozen against.
One of the main concerns coming out is that of outliving loved ones. There have been a few movies with this theme, unfortuantely I can't remember the name but there was the family (a few hundred years ago in the early US) that drank from a well by a tree and lived outrageously long, if not forever. Then, the one son (inevitably) fell in live with a normal human and watched her grow old and die. (Pretty much like some gods marrying humans in mythology, or even in the Lord of the Rings, an elf marrying a human)
The film ends in modern days with the son, same age, looking at the house (now old) where he had lived with his wife.
Since this is the Sp F. One inevitably thinks of the "heaven and hell" concept. FMF's original concept involves one person living forever within a society where all around him age. But what about a situation where, say, an entire society (country, nations, etc) becomes immortal TOGETHER? This would be closer to the postulated "heaven". Of course, one would have to eliminate the alternative of a "hell", since nobody would chose immortality if that were a possibility.
Would this addition change anybody's position? That of drinking the elixir en masse?
Originally posted by CalJustAlthough I was raising objections I think I probably would drink the elixir, assuming I had assurances of health, agelessness and someone to spend my time with. I just assume I would not be expected to outlast the universe.
Unless I missed something (in which case I apologise in advance) at present we have only one vote FOR the elixir (twhitehead) and half-a-dozen against.
One of the main concerns coming out is that of outliving loved ones. There have been a few movies with this theme, unfortuantely I can't remember the name but there was the family (a few hundred years ago ...[text shortened]...
Would this addition change anybody's position? That of drinking the elixir en masse?
The deaths of mortal lovers was a sub-theme in the Highlander film.
An entire society could be problematic - who wants to work past 65,000?
29 Nov 14
Originally posted by DeepThoughtSince humans in first world countries typically spend 1/3 of their lives studying, and 1/3 of their lives retired, an immortal society should be OK only working 1/3 of the amount that a typical working adult currently does.
An entire society could be problematic - who wants to work past 65,000?
Of course there is the question of whether these immortals think like a typical middle aged adult or not. Humans typically gain wisdom with age, but also loose some other mental abilities.
Also given the progress of society and technology in the last few hundred years it is extremely difficult to make any predictions about the next 65,000.
One possible advantage of an immortal society, would be that we might no longer require military spending. Although people might still find ways to use military power to their advantage.
Another big question would be whether or not we would stop having children.
30 Nov 14
Originally posted by CalJustThe elixir I just checked is an Ardbeg 10 Year Old 46% vol. A light amber golden colour, a nose with full aromas of peat and smoke with notes of iodine, a really strong and dry palate with fading sweetness, a huge and silky aftertaste with the touch of the ocean
Seems to me this thread has been taken over by another thread on living forever.
Oh well. If anyone needs me, please ring the bell on the counter. I'll be in the back room checking on my elixirs.
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30 Nov 14
Originally posted by black beetleDo you feel immortal? If so, I do not recommend driving.
The elixir I just checked is an Ardbeg 10 Year Old 46% vol. A light amber golden colour, a nose with full aromas of peat and smoke with notes of iodine, a really strong and dry palate with fading sweetness, a huge and silky aftertaste with the touch of the ocean
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30 Nov 14
Originally posted by black beetleA wee dram, if you please?
The elixir I just checked is an Ardbeg 10 Year Old 46% vol. A light amber golden colour, a nose with full aromas of peat and smoke with notes of iodine, a really strong and dry palate with fading sweetness, a huge and silky aftertaste with the touch of the ocean
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