Afterlife vs Not

[Loki_999]

We are the only beings that I know of that will knowingly risk that very existence, going against that imperative, for any number of causes.

Robert Winston has some interesting things to say about this. Why we do foolish things that seem to go against the imperative to survive, and it is also present in many other species. It's to do with advertising. Advertising yourself (or more correct to say, your genes) are good for mating with. To show that you are strong, the best, the most fit.

Bungee jumping, driving recklessly, whatever, it can be linked with us (men especially) showing off our prowess, like a peacock with its tail.

There is a species of bird in Africa which when the flock sits in a tree, the upmost position, the lookout position, the most riskiest position, it taken by the strongest bird in the flock. Common sense would say, if you are the strongest, force your way to the bottom and let some weak sucker get eaten, but that would not attract the interest of the females.

Female humans you may have noticed tend to take less risks on average... well unless you include driving while talking on the mobile and fixing their makeup all at the same time.