The Necessity of Death

Immortality would come with mental illness.

Think about all the trauma the average person sees in their life, then add the trauma a victim of abuse or crime goes through. Then a war victim, solider or civilian. That will take its toll. Then think about criminals. We can't give them life in prison because they will never die. So how much is enough? Is 400 years enough for rape? How do you gauge a fitting murder sentence? Can you really rehabilitate them?

What about just boredom or depression? Eventually, you would have done everything. You can't die so who cares if you have a job. You won't starve. Travel? Experience? You will have it all eventually. How long before suicide becomes the only thing left for you?

And you better hope you never age or are able to be born Gattica perfect. I would hate to spend eternity blind or without a leg.

Or a head...

Senior citizens are actually happier than any other age group. Super-centenarians even more so. But yeah. Death isn't really "necessary" because never dying ever is impossible. It's just not an option. Living longer, sure, but don't expect any magic eternal youth potions.

If you live long enough won't it just grow back?

Wouldn't that be your body?

edited 25th Sep '13 1:21:30 AM by joeyjojo

Depends whether you assume I was using the "without a" part of the previous sentence or not.

I thought as much you sly old dog

Would having your consciousness uploaded into a virtual reality count as immortality? I'd like that.