I guess I'm a minority among atheists in that death bothers me - a lot. I don't remotely buy into the platitude that death gives life meaning. I believe involuntary death sucks - big time. I acknowledge that forced-immortality might suck as much as any concept of Hell but I think I'd rather face that than an involuntary termination of my existence. My opinion is irrelevant though. I don't get to make that call and I am rational enough to recognize that. What is, is.
As to dealing with it, that's a personal thing. I personally ponder the possibility that advanced aliens may scan our brains and record us before we die. They could in effect, preserve us. It's easy to imagine aliens with such abilities although quite a stretch to imagine why they would be motivated to use them on our behalf. It's not something that will likely give me much comfort on my death bed because I know it's wild speculation. It's a glimmer of hope, though. It's a naturalistic possibility that is theoretically possible without relying on super-natural beliefs.
As to dealing with it, that's a personal thing. I personally ponder the possibility that advanced aliens may scan our brains and record us before we die. They could in effect, preserve us. It's easy to imagine aliens with such abilities although quite a stretch to imagine why they would be motivated to use them on our behalf. It's not something that will likely give me much comfort on my death bed because I know it's wild speculation. It's a glimmer of hope, though. It's a naturalistic possibility that is theoretically possible without relying on super-natural beliefs.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
