The subject of immortality can spark some interesting and lively debates. An example of this is the following exchange between ImmInst director Bruce J. Klein and Joshua Hublar. Feel free to chime in with your take on this matter...

Joshua Says:
Immortal? us?
I do not see it.

Rather, I see us as the creators of immortals. But upon which minds would we bestow such independance? You give mankind too much credit, methinks.

BJKlein Says: Should we then not give blue green algae credit for being our ancestors? They hobbled around with little ability to contemplate their life and future, yet they're our great great*^100000 grandfathers and grandmothers. We started from such humble beginnings and we're still quite humble. Thus should give one hope not dred for at lest we're moving in the right direction.

We shall grow into something mor. Our instinct and will dictate this. The problem I see is that DNA, nature, evolutions is trying to kill the messenger. It has programmed each of us to die in order to make way for the next, hopefully better generation. Yet, it does not have to be this way. Actually, it has not always been this way. For the majority of life, from 4.5 billion years ago to about .5 billion years ago, all life on earth was immortal - bacteria. Each organizim, of course did not live forever, but it did have the potential. (please note the following example of bacteria alive after .25 billion year: Immortal Bacteria)

Joshua Says:  We are greedy with power and egotistical with identity. We will, in our masterfull creations, create persian flaws. Also, with regard to being immortal - I think that is a waste of energy.

BJKlein Says: Remember the laws of physics? Energy is neither lost nor gained. We do need to wath out for entropy though (whole nother topic).

Joshua Says: Consider: What is more important? You or mankind?
Your works and knowledge or mankind's collective works and knowledge?

BJKlein Says: Yes, one has to determine the importance of self and place their life’s worth into a hierarchy. I simply place my life’s worth above country, company, group, or others. This is not being egotistical, it’s just my personal code. If I loose friends because of it, so be it. Maybe those "friends" didn't have my best interset at heart. Because, obviously they do not understand or care enough about my wants to repect my will to live.

I will not lay down my life, or put myself in the position of potential oblivion for some cause (unless the cause is physical immortrality, in that case, I’m going to fight for physical immortality until i never die)

But, I don’t consider myself a selfish person in any other sense, other that the fact that I'm not willing to throw away my life for anyone else’s idea of freedom or chivalry. This doesn't mean I condemn the military or someone some elses wishes to commits suicide. Everyone should have all options open when it comes to persoan decsions about life and death. As I would not want others to try and stop me from living forever, I will not try and stop others from killing themselves.

If you enjoyed this debate, and you'd like to contribute to the discussion, please visit: http://www.imminst.org/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=67&t=757