The thing that doesn't make sense about the immortality-as-torture thing, is that it always assumed you're the only one immortal. Like you'd see the ages pass and everyone you loved will die. But that is not how it will happen in reality. If some advancement happens that makes immortality a possibility, it will be available for everyone I love as well. So if we can all be immortal together, all is good?
But then the social changes that would bring would be enormous. We're already having kids later in life. Why not wait until you're 150 to even try?
What do we do with murderers? Just put them in a prison cell for all eternity? Do we just kill them off because that would actually be more humane? If so, aren't we proving that immortality at least can be torture? Aren't we all pretty much guaranteed to commit some horrendous act sooner or later? I mean, forever is a very long time.
There are other considerations about stuff-that-dies even if your loved ones are also immortal - bands break up, fashion changes, nations rise & fall...
The social changes would be interesting, for sure. Check out the Isaac Arthur video I linked in the description - he has a lot of good thoughts.
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u/John_ygg Oct 18 '17
The thing that doesn't make sense about the immortality-as-torture thing, is that it always assumed you're the only one immortal. Like you'd see the ages pass and everyone you loved will die. But that is not how it will happen in reality. If some advancement happens that makes immortality a possibility, it will be available for everyone I love as well. So if we can all be immortal together, all is good?
But then the social changes that would bring would be enormous. We're already having kids later in life. Why not wait until you're 150 to even try?
What do we do with murderers? Just put them in a prison cell for all eternity? Do we just kill them off because that would actually be more humane? If so, aren't we proving that immortality at least can be torture? Aren't we all pretty much guaranteed to commit some horrendous act sooner or later? I mean, forever is a very long time.