What do you think about the idea of knowing when you will die?

Use this forum to discuss the March 2018 Book of the Month, "Final Notice" by Van Fleisher.
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SPasciuti
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What do you think about the idea of knowing when you will die?

Post by SPasciuti »

This is a huge theme in the book and it’s one that has been addressed in a number of other books as well. This is the first time I’ve been introduced to a book that addresses it alongside the conversation of gun control, but I was wondering what you think about this potential technology?

Is it a good idea? Would you want to know? How do you feel about science being able to predict something like this? Would you want scientists to release this information if they ever do learn how to get it?
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Post by qsusan »

My feelings are summarised in the statement
"Knowledge bred incidence even as it protected us from incidence."
- (a personal quote from me)

Knowing allows us to shield against known dangers but the mere act of knowing creates even more dangers. This is why Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden after they ate of the fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Because they knew, they could sin. If i am colour-blind and I say red is green, have I told a lie? No. Why? Because I do not know.
Knowing changes things. However, I think the message of this book is not to fear knowledge but to be aware that all knowledge is a two sided sword- it can protect but it can also harm- and to guard accordingly.
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Post by Mwanyalo »

having this knowledge about the technology inputs as see in the book 'final notice',actually is the beginning of wisdom.This is when one can rule out the bad and good in life.If something can be controlled, let it get controlled before it becomes out of control.
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Vickie Noel
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Post by Vickie Noel »

qsusan wrote: 02 Mar 2018, 07:08 My feelings are summarised in the statement
"Knowledge bred incidence even as it protected us from incidence."
- (a personal quote from me)

Knowing allows us to shield against known dangers but the mere act of knowing creates even more dangers. This is why Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden after they ate of the fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Because they knew, they could sin. If i am colour-blind and I say red is green, have I told a lie? No. Why? Because I do not know.
Knowing changes things. However, I think the message of this book is not to fear knowledge but to be aware that all knowledge is a two sided sword- it can protect but it can also harm- and to guard accordingly.
I quite agree, and I love your quote too.

Personally, I don't think I would want to know the exact time I'd die. It will be too much of a burden to me and I feel that knowledge alone would suck out whatever joy I'm supposed to experience for the remaining part of my life. I'd rather live with the knowledge that there's a possibility of dying, try to live an enjoyable life and heartily hope that I'll dodge it. Hope really keeps us going.
It's scary enough when death springs up on someone and as they say, "all my life flashed before my eyes." Having that life flashing constantly up until the point it happens will just be too much pressure, not to mention trying to correct all one's past wrong deeds or the potential desire to create new ones (after all, death date is here.)
Stop waiting for what you WANT, start working with what you HAVE. --- Seth Cain
Never be bullied into questioning your own credibility. --- Vickie Noel
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Post by cascal312 »

I think that this kind of technology would be a huge issue. I personally would never want to know the exact time of my death, because I couldn’t handle the fact that there is absolutely nothing I could do to change it. What if I found out that I was going to die tomorrow? I’d be in a full blown panic, trying desperately to fit in an entire lifetimes worth of experiences before the deadline. With this kind of knowledge, myself and others would become completely unpredictable: making the world as we known it a very dangerous place.
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Post by Spirit Wandering »

I believe a major purpose of life is the choices we make and the experiences we have as a result of them. These choices are important, both to complete our own karmic lessons and also to help complete the collective experiences that form the Universe itself. I think knowing when we would die would interfere with that process of choice and experience. So, no, I wouldn't want to know when I was going to die, even if it was only a week ahead of time. I might change something in that last week that would alter the path I might have otherwise taken without that information.
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Post by sepicatt »

I would not want to know when I will die. I think it would dictate my course of action and my life choices. No, I would not want scientists to release the information. Honestly, if we look at case studies, there are many times people are told they only have a given time frame to live because of illness and then they completely surpass it. I think there is more to dying then science and it can be a mind over matter issue. Psychologically, I don't think its a good idea either.
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Post by kfwilson6 »

Given that this is a medical device which tells you only when you will die of natural causes, I think it is a very useful tool. It doesn't seem that different from finding out you have a life threatening illness and the doctor giving you a timeframe for how much longer you will have. It is that concept on a broader scope. The watch may actually prevent your death if it is a natural occurrence and medical treatment would make a difference. We are often so unaware of what is happening in our bodies: why does my stomach hurt, is this a heart attack or heart burn, am I having a stroke? The watch could help circumvent the consequences of the majority of us not having medical degrees. We wouldn't have to ask the question of ourselves, is this worth going to the hospital for? The risk of not going is mitigated because we would know if it is severe enough to warrant it.

If we were talking about some mystical device that can predict your death no matter how it occurs (car accident, war, hunting accident, etc.), that I would not want to have.
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Post by Mary Garrison »

As a Christian, I believe God's timing is perfect. I would not want to know because then I would let the fear of knowing rule my life. Right now I trust that God will take me when he's ready no matter what I know. So I'm just going to live my life to the best of my ability and try not to take anything or anyone for granted.
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Post by JessNWheeler »

I would want to know. The optimist in me would like to think that most people would spend their final days in a non-violent way. And yes, if the technology becomes available, I do think that scientist should release it.
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Post by Chigozie Anuli Mbadugha »

I really don't want to know how much time I have left. I will rather leave that detail to God to decide.
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Post by Bluecobia »

I would not want to know when I am going to die. I know I will die, but, I like to be able to hope to live longer than I expect would be predicted. Knowing for sure could be very depressing.
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Post by sunshineprince »

I still have so much I have to accomplish in life so I will live that for God to decide
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Post by stedape »

JessNWheeler wrote: 02 Mar 2018, 12:35 I would want to know. The optimist in me would like to think that most people would spend their final days in a non-violent way. And yes, if the technology becomes available, I do think that scientist should release it.
Well, I believe whether it is released or not it would be on the black market. Its use would proliferate until proper laws are set in place for control purposes.
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Post by jennyd2003 »

I like the idea of being able to wrap things up. In reality though, I think if we know when we will pass then we will do things differently. We won't enjoy the time simply because we will be counting down until it's over. I'd rather not know and just enjoy time with my family.
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