If you could know the date of your death, would you want to?

[CrispyQ]

Poll question: If you could know the date of your death, would you want to?

Would that knowledge motivate you to do the things you've always said you wanted to do? Or would you go into a funk as you watched the daily countdown? Or would it have any impact? We're all going to die someday - would knowing the date make a difference?

[no_hypocrisy]

1. I like surprises myself . . . . .

[Warpy]

9. Same here, although I've been close enough a few times

to notice one important distinction: when I'm truly close, I regard the event with a curious detachment, sort of an idle observation of what's just about to happen. When I'm sick enough to require aggressive intervention with little chance of demise, there's fear of death associated with the process.

In fact, as soon as the fear appears, I realize I'm going to pull through it again.

[sharp_stick]

2. Not just no

but hell no. Could you imagine as the date started to approach, damn the stress would be unbelievable.

[CrispyQ]

21. Exactly!

Say you were in the prime of your life, you have just about everything you ever hoped for, but you know in a few months you are going to die. Ack! Imagine that last day! It would truly be your worst - wondering when the moment is going to come - especially if you were fit & in good health. Should I climb this ladder to change that light bulb? Is the person following me going to kill me?

As I get older, some days I think it would be good to know. If I'm going to die in two years, then why put all this effort into a new career? I'd rather cash out my savings & spend the remaining time with my dog & reading good books. (I'm boring.) But overall, not knowing is what keeps me motivated to continue planning & working for a better future.

Currently, though, we are outnumbered 61% to 39%! I have to say, I'm very surprised by this poll!

[On the Road]

3. I'm Going to Go Against the Trend and Say "Yes"

Knowing the date, I think I could come to terms and be at peace with death, possibly better than having it remain unknown.

It would also allow better use of remaining time and resources. No need to have tons of money saved against living until 100 if I'm going to die at 75.

[Not Me]

4. Funny you should ask...

I have a friend whose father died last week rather unexpectedly. It has been hard on them.
It got me to thinking about it. I thought that if I had, say, 6 months to live; I would really like to know this, and bring closure to the people and things in my life. And treasure each day.

[Cleita]

5. At my age it would help.

At least I would know that I could spend what's left of my nest egg on doing something bucket list style or if it's a long time from now if I'd better really start pinching pennies.

[peace frog]

6. As a young person I would have said "no"

but now that I'm older, I think the foreknowledge would be helpful in planning what remains of the present. I find as I get older I am more likely to think: today is a good day to die. No fear.

[endless october]

7. i don't know if i'd want to know or not.

i lean yes, but not firm enough to vote.

i guess in that case it's fine that i don't know. i hope i make at least a standard human lifespan in good health. i quit smoking, lost weight, and exercise daily, so there are three things in my favor.

i do still consume alcohol, however, so that one might not be the best tool for longevity.

[grasswire]

8. absolutely

I don't want to be on the city bus when it happens.

The advantages to knowing are huge. HUGE.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

10. Yes, but I would not want others knowing theirs.

[CrispyQ]

22. ~spank!

You're bad!! ;)

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

25. The world would go to shit if people knew thier last days

Risk and punishment - BOTH must be present and in proper proportion to deter unwanted behavior. Take away the means of punishing someone (they will be dead soon and they know it) and laws become worthless. If only I knew I was going to die next month, I would probably buy a 'vette and take out a $100,000 loan. Why not? I won't be around to pay the bills or suffer the reprucussions for any laws broken. Imagine telling a theif, pedophile, rapist, or murderer they are going to die next week... you've basically just told them they can do whatever they want and there will be no consequence.

Like I said... I would want to know the day I will die.
Even moreso, I would not want everyone to know when they will die.

[T Wolf]

11. It would make a "dramatic gesture" much easier to achieve with no down side. The freedom

to do anything without the threat of a consequence (just like repukes always have) could lead to some very significant events.

[importDavid]

12. I voted yes... but on the condition...

...that I know HOW I'm going to die.

If I'm 90 years old and die of natural causes then no biggie

If I'm 46 (this year) and die in a horrific accident then HELL no. ;)

It all depends...

[CrispyQ]

23. And if it were the reverse?

You're 46 & die of natural causes, or you're 90 & die a in a horrific accident.

Does that change if you'd want to know? Is it possible that age is actually the bigger factor here?

[dmallind]

13. Well I kinda do within about a one year span

But knowing the exact date would change only a few details really. Part of the reason for that is I have no high-flying bucket list and no great desire to stop working/earning while I still can. Don't get me wrong I'd love to see New Zealand and India and maybe finally get to Bayreuth for the festival but I doubt I have the time and resources for more than one of them. It's not going to cause me any grief. How many people get to do everything they want? Few indeed. If I had an exact date - say to pick a median something like January 18th 2011, all that would change is the timing of a vacation or two really, and of course the timing of the last party I had the breath to enjoy. The terminal stages of what is punching my ticket are fairly brief in their incapacitation so I could certainly schedule a nice Xmas/New Year's event I guess. Other than that, really wouldn't change much.

To be honest after the initial slap upside the head, knowing you are going to die soon isn't all that different from knowing you're going to die eventually, at least for me. All that changes is whether you bother to make long term plans. Heck I even still pay into a 401k I know for sure I will never see, because the matching is going to get my wife a few extra dollars. I suspect I'm either content enough or boring enough that I don't feel any great need to radically change how I live what little time I have left.

Should probably add for clarity that on reflection yes I think it would be good even for those not facing a short span. It would allow people to plan appropriately for all many of things that were important to them. One caveat would be that it would be tied to a failsafe legal and free euthanasia option. If I found out I was scheduled to burn to death on my 88th birthday I'd want a bunch of drugs and a handy doctor sitting around the day before. Either that or a shotgun if need be.

[CrispyQ]

24. Having not faced what you are facing, I can't imagine how I'd feel.

I think, in your situation, I would have to remind myself every day, upon rising, that even though I've been given some insight into the time of my demise, I could just as easily be hit by a car today!

You said, "To be honest after the initial slap upside the head, knowing you are going to die soon isn't all that different from knowing you're going to die eventually, at least for me." I admire your attitude! You seem to have adjusted pretty well to your circumstances. The best to you. :hug:

[dmallind]

26. Thanks - I really don't think my attitude differs from that most people would have.

Really - what alternative is there? It's not like you can take any steps to change IPF. Losing weight aand exercising and eating right will make bugger all difference. Quitting smoking or drinking the same (I never smoked personally - being generic here). So "fighting for life" is out. It's going to happen when it happens. So what choices do people like me have? Get depressed and mope about it? To what end? All that means is I have 6-18 months of being depressed! Really the only alternatives I face are to start acting wild and going all out for hedonism, or just to keep on going as I am. I'm a lucky guy in that I have no searing unmet needs. I enjoy my banal little hobbies. I never lusted after massive wealth, high adventure or countless sexual conquests. Unrestrained libertinism never appealed to me in the first place so no reason it would now. I'm satisfied with my comfortable if pedestrian life, so my most rational course of action is to continue it, and maybe splurge on one of those "one day" vacations. It isn't bravery or composure driving me - it's contentment really. I really wasn't being falsely modest when I said that it's maybe being boring that helps you face death with reasonable equanimity. ;)

[Unvanguard]

14. Yes, because it would mean that I wouldn't have to worry about dying early or living longer.

It would be set and done with.

(There are real free will issues here, actually... what happens if I jump into a river a week before my intended death date?)

[Berry Cool]

15. If you jumped into a river a week before your intended death date,

someone would come along and rescue you. It would be fate.

[Silent3]

16. It could be like "Groundhog Day"

No matter what crazy things you did, you'd know you'd have to come out it alive. :)

Then again, nothing about knowing the date of your death in and of itself guarantees that you'll be healthy or even conscious until then.

[jdp349]

18. You could just end up in a coma for years, or become paralyzed

they always get you in the fine print.

[kwassa]

17. My birth certificate came with an expiration date.

(Steven Wright said that.)

Due to a recent heart attack, my thoughts on the subject are going through a transition.

[CrispyQ]

20. I love Steven Wright!

I like this one, too, although I don't know who said it:

"Life is a sexually transmitted, terminal condition."


I hope you are quickly recovering! :hi:

[Deep13]

19. Only if it was a really noteworthy end.

I'd want to know if it was "died hang gliding on Mt. Everest" but not "found dead on the toilet."