Poll: What's the attraction to being immortal?

[Whateveralot]

Let's tackle some of the main obstacles here.

1) Loved ones dying.

They do now, you're just not there to witness all of them die, but you will witness at least some of them die. There's no escaping that. I feel you would eventually create some sort of personal ritual which you go through to remember the people you love forever.

2) Evolution.

I don't get your point here. The fact that you're immortal doesn't make you reclusive. You should be able to keep up with these changes (except for the physical ones). But if you are the only one immortal, you will probably be held as a go (or a monster) anyway.


That all said; being biologically immortal doesn't mean you can't die. You can still bleed out, drown, etc.

 

[kaizen2468]

Think of the knowledge! Think of the things you would see? All the good, all the bad. It would be phenomenal! I could care less about being dying as I live on, there are always new people to meet. You could have a different family every hundred years if you wanted, or hell every 20 years or whatever.

Though to be a gift and not a curse, the immortality would need to be self controlled. I have no desire to live until humans aren't even human anymore, or the sun burns out.

 

[VladG]

Loved ones - wouldn't care that much, I'd get over it really fast.

Language barrier... ehm... who said I'd have to be immortal in a cave... Under the sea? Your speech would change along with the current trend

Evolution?? in a few hundred years?? Dude, it takes tens of thousands of years for even minor changes to take place.

As for the earth blowing up.. immortal isn't the same as indestructible. Even if you couldn't die in any manner, simply removing the head from the body would put you in basically an eternal black coma, with no stimulus or possibility of any brain activity.

Now for the advantages: Knowledge, imagine how awesome it would be to see the world in a few hundred years, to see how far technology will advance, also with so much time, you'd accrue a wealth of information

Money: you are immortal, even a small bank deposit will grow considerably over the course of a few hundred years, to the point where you could probably afford anything and eventually you'd be able to experience everything. Travel wherever you'd like, go to space, and who knows what?

 

[lRookiel]

Immortality for me, no contest.

You could do anything and everything, so yeah I would take it and once the current civilization ends from its own doings, I would create my own, and do it right!!!

Edit: Oh and I could spend forever on skyrim (Or elder scrolls titles that follow it)

 

[Hazy992]

Loved ones - wouldn't care that much, I'd get over it really fast.

Language barrier... ehm... who said I'd have to be immortal in a cave... Under the sea? Your speech would change along with the current trend

Evolution?? in a few hundred years?? Dude, it takes tens of thousands of years for even minor changes to take place.

As for the earth blowing up.. immortal isn't the same as indestructible. Even if you couldn't die in any manner, simply removing the head from the body would put you in basically an eternal black coma, with no stimulus or possibility of any brain activity.

Now for the advantages: Knowledge, imagine how awesome it would be to see the world in a few hundred years, to see how far technology will advance, also with so much time, you'd accrue a wealth of information

Money: you are immortal, even a small bank deposit will grow considerably over the course of a few hundred years, to the point where you could probably afford anything and eventually you'd be able to experience everything. Travel wherever you'd like, go to space, and who knows what?

1. I said to just ignore the point about the language barrier as I didn't think it through

2. I never said evolution in a few hundred years. I said 'eventually' which could be hundreds of thousands or millions.

3.Assume when I say immortal I mean indestructible as well.

 

[DarkRyter]

People don't want to be immortal.

They just don't want to die t'ill they're ready.

When people say they want immortality, they either don't understand the full implications of it, or they're thinking of something very different.

It's like when people say they're afraid of heights. Most folks aren't afraid of heights. They're afraid of falling.

 

[Thyunda]

I've noticed on these forums that a lot of people seem to like the idea of being immortal. So I was just wondering; why? I mean think about it.

First off, you've got the fact that you have to watch every single one of your loved ones die.

Then you've got the fact that within a few hundred years you'd be unable to communicate with anyone due to language changes, and eventually you wouldn't even look human anymore thanks to evolution. You'd be treated like a freak and likely ostracised by everyone. Although it's not like you'd be able to actually form relationships with anyone as by this point time would be moving so fast for you entire lifetimes would be gone in the blink of an eye.

Then there's the prospect of you inevitably being trapped somewhere for an eternity. And what happens the earth eventually blows up? Do you just float through space forever?

I know this is a bit of a rant and it's not like it can ever happen, but I was just curious.

TL;DR Why do you want to be immortal? There's some major drawbacks to it.


EDIT: There should be a poll here. Just say if you would be immortal or not I guess

Also, ignore the language thing. Probably didn't think that one through.

1. My loved ones will die eventually anyway. I'll go through the trauma once and then I'll get used to it. Honestly, my own death will affect me more than their's.

2. I'm already known for my antiquated language and received pronunciation. I sometimes use my name in its original Gaelic and yet still have the nerve to criticise the Welsh language.

3. Sorry, didn't realise that big hairy people reminiscent of Neanderthals were ostracised. Evolution isn't that big of a deal, I'm not worried about that.

4. I'm freaking immortal. I don't care about the fleeting whims of mortals. Despite actually being mortal, I still don't care about the fleeting whims of mortals.

5. Time doesn't speed up just because I get old. Everybody gets that feeling. I get the feeling when I look at a catalogue from 1998 and realise it's twenty-freaking-eleven. I'm in the future, damn it!

6. Eternity? Nah. I'd get freed eventually, without the risk of dying inbetweentimes.

7. Hopefully we'll escape the planet first. I'll lead the charge - I actually have something at stake if the world blows up in millions of years. Me.

I think the reason for immortality being so popular on a gaming website is because our culture is synonymous with misanthropy and loneliness. Kids at their keyboards deciding that outliving all people would be a great idea because they hate people anyway, and relationships are for losers.

I'm socially successful and have a long, steady relationship. And god damn it I want to be immortal.

 

[Jfswift]

I thought about that too - if the earth disappeared that might suck but that happen for a looong time and by then we should have space technology. I'd just bounce to another planet.

To answer the question though, I wouldn't mind really, after watching the movie, Groundhog day, I thought it looked kind of fun. It would be nice to have unlimited time to just relax and learn how to do things and language as you pointed out wouldn't be an issue, I'd just have to keep learning new languages and trends as they happened.

 

[archvile93]

Then there's the prospect of you inevitably being trapped somewhere for an eternity. And what happens the earth eventually blows up? Do you just float through space forever?

Sorry, pet peeve of mine. See this right here? What I quoted? That wouldn't happen with immortality. Unless you include invulnerability, you can be immune to age and disease, but not, say, a bullet to the brain. Or indeed, the planet blowing up. Think the Elves from LotR. They're effectively immortal, but that didn't stop one hell of a lot of them from dying when the Last Alliance stormed Orodruin.

As for me, I think 80-some years is enough. I mean, yes, I'll be kind of sad that I probably won't get my lightsaber, but I'd prefer that disappointment to having to bury my future children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc.

Those elves weren't true immortals then. Immortal means you just plain can't die for any reason, according to webster. There's a few other definitions, but those are unrelated to living or are more metaphorical. Ageless would probably be a better word.

OT: The reason it's so popular is that people fear death, because those that didn't died and didn't reproduce. Therefore, immortal means you don't fear death since it can't affect you, and that seems good as a result.

 

[lionrwal]

I've noticed on these forums that a lot of people seem to like the idea of being immortal. So I was just wondering; why? I mean think about it.

First off, you've got the fact that you have to watch every single one of your loved ones die.

Then you've got the fact that within a few hundred years you'd be unable to communicate with anyone due to language changes, and eventually you wouldn't even look human anymore thanks to evolution. You'd be treated like a freak and likely ostracised by everyone. Although it's not like you'd be able to actually form relationships with anyone as by this point time would be moving so fast for you entire lifetimes would be gone in the blink of an eye.

Then there's the prospect of you inevitably being trapped somewhere for an eternity. And what happens the earth eventually blows up? Do you just float through space forever?

I know this is a bit of a rant and it's not like it can ever happen, but I was just curious.

TL;DR Why do you want to be immortal? There's some major drawbacks to it.


EDIT: There should be a poll here. Just say if you would be immortal or not I guess

Also, ignore the language thing. Probably didn't think that one through.

Oh, and assume that when I say immortal, I also mean indestructible. You can't die and you can't be killed.

Someone's been copying my thread. A little.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.325346-Why-do-people-want-to-be-immortal?page=1

 

[Christars]

The only reason people keep thinking of negative aspects of immortality is because most of us are desperately trying to come to terms with the fact that currently we are not immortal. So we invent some arbitrary "good parts" of being mortal and construct arbitrary "negative parts" about being immortal.

My ideal immortality: As OP intends, with invincibility (ideally regeneration?), and the ability to enter voluntary stasis (i.e., sleep through that inevitable "journey through space" 'cause it would get boring and it's not as if though wasting time is a problem. Science could probably do this in some years). Also no feeling of pain; it simply wouldn't be needed and would probably get in the way of my enjoyment of life. And I'd very well like to survive/prevent the collapse of the universe, though people will probably think I'm crazy regarding this one.

What would I do with my immortality? Prevent the extinction of the human race and/or intelligent life as a whole, because that's about the only cause I feel is worth fighting for. If everyone died, then I guess I'd just have to start developing the technology to make life - again, it's not as though I wouldn't have time for it.

 

[Gustof26]

Personally I'm going to have to agree with Lex Luther on this.

Lex: To be able to see it all.
AMAZO: Is that my purpose, to simply be a witness?
Lex: We create our own purposes, now go make yours.

 

[Xanath]

The fear of unknown, kinda. Not the whole death part but what I would miss in the future. Human life is like the shortest unit of time regarding stuff like notable scientific or cultural progress and I would quite like to see stuff like some sort of unification of mankind or colinization of other world. Exspecially the cultural stuff would be nice to witness as today's world seems to be the kind of a mess where you often hope that maybe one day people will be more sensible.

 

[chadachada123]

Eh, hopefully I'd be able to find a way to put my body into a permanent sleep mode. Lord knows I'd have enough time to do it.

 

[soes757]

So you're saying you wont adapt with the change in languages?

And as humanity changes... well you'll be known as the only immortal person in the world. You're a freak anyways, though possibally idolised instead of shuned.

And that time thing, what's that all about? It's not like a day passes any faster for someone who's 50 compared to someone who's 5.

The rest are valid arguments though, and is why immortality isn't really a thing for me. Just... try to avoid silly arguments like the ones I've mentioned above, alright?

According to time perception, time goes faster when you get old.
After seeing Torchwood I always think about that, and have decided that given the opportunity I wouldn't be immortal, and if I didn't have the choice I would make people worship me as a god.

 

[Hasido]

i would only want immortality if i could use it to somehow help others, or be a limitless observer (basically spectator mode for real life)

And while watching those i care about grow old and die (or die tragically) is sad, i would be able to live with it if it meant i could help others with whatever means i have. if all i have is longevity, then no, i don't really want it.

now if its spectator mode, this one is just me being selfish. i like to know things, and if i were to cease to exist as the alternative, i would like to at least get to watch and learn about the universe.

 

[Suicidejim]

Most people do it out of a fear of death, I assume, not taking into account the fact that they could easily end up in a living hell.

Main reason I'd avoid it? Boredom. Oh, sure, there's almost an infinite number of ways you can amuse yourself in this universe, but therein lies the problem. ALMOST infinite. And you have all of infinity to do it in, so eventually you will have done everything. Multiple times. You could have spent millions of years each on every pursuit in the universe and still you'll have to find some other way of keeping you sane. Sure, interact with new people, species, maybe even new planets. But reality likes patterns, it finds comfort in the cliche, and eventually life will have run out of novel new quirks to keep you interested. You'll be able to meet a brand-new person, and already have heard just about every thought or concept they can come up with. Some people have suggested you'd be worshipped as a God, but I fear one would end up as more of a demon, an insane entity that has travelled the vast expanses of time and learned the secrets at the heart of the universe, that has knowledge no person should be able to amass in their lifetime, able to predict the future simply by analyzing the patterns of the past, part oracle, part deity, but no longer man.

And that's not really my cup of tea.

 

[Smurf McSmurfington]

Snip

Well, as mentioned before, the language argument is just plain stupid, you'd easily be able to take over the new language as it evolves.
The other problems are real though... and what I'd like is biological immortality or something (basically, I CAN die, just not as easily), or absolute immortality until I choose to give it up.

Why does the prospect of living much longer than I am actually able to sound like a good thing? Well simply put, curiosity, I want to observe humanity, I want to see where we get to on a technological and cultural level, and how far we'd fall from it, and I'd somehow make a home of sorts which'll somehow not get wrapped into the inevitable future conflicts between humans, I mean I'd like to be a true outside observer, occasionally walking among humans, but not actually making myself known as...well... me.
I want to see the world, more than actually possible during one single lifetime. And in the end, I don't want to die, the very idea of my consciousness(which is basically a series of electrochemical reactions in my brain) stopping altogether, and I'd never exist again... that just scares the hell out of me. Sure one could say that our consciousness stays intact after death and we go to some form of afterlife (Valhalla, for instance... or the Christian Heaven or whatever), but that's something I find ludicrous... though I can see why people irrationally latch onto such insane ideas, despite them not making any sense at all. They(like I) fear death, and they want to believe that there's something better waiting on the other side, so to speak.

But most of all, I want to observe, and I don't want a pesky little thing called death to get in the way of my intellectual curiosity.

As for seeing loved ones die... well they all die some day anyway, and in my case, almost all of them are older than I(I have no children and I'll do my best to keep it that way, for I don't want any either), so I'd see them die either way, it's just this way I wouldn't have to go through it too.

 

[vivster]

your arguments lack coherence
first of all... of course it is only meant the ability to live forever and not to be invulnerable... so if there's an accident you will die
i will not stand still so i don't really know why i wouldn't be part of the language change as well
third i have an eternity to get over the loss of my loved ones... even better i will have a big number of loved ones over the years
also evolution in a few hundred years? you got to be kidding

and last but not least... if i become immortal i definitely won't be the only one to get the chance

i need to be immortal to experience the evolving technology
also how the society will evolve
i mean with all the technology life should become easier every year maybe even to the point where nobody has to work anymore
must be a great life then

 

[shadowsandwich]

Imortality
It's one step below time travel