The problem that I anticipate is one of goals and values. If we should be immortal—truly invincible, for example through a medium that is indestructible or as information that is easily stored and copied and thus disposable—then what goals could we have? I wonder then if there would be anything to do?
Personally, I can’t think of a single goal of mine that is strictly contingent on my dying at any point in the future.
I suspect that this sort of approach may come from imagining “immortality” as a story that you’re reading—where’s the suspense, the conflict, if there’s no real danger? But if you instead imagine it as being your life, except it goes on for a longer time, the question becomes—do you actually enjoy being confronted with mortal danger?
Or, put another way: I’d lay odds that most people would have more fun playing Dungeons and Dragons than Russian Roulette.
Personally, I can’t think of a single goal of mine that is strictly contingent on my dying at any point in the future.
I guess I meant more long-term goals.
What would be the purpose of having and controlling resources if you were already going to live forever?
I suspect that this sort of approach may come from imagining “immortality” as a story that you’re reading—where’s the suspense, the conflict, if there’s no real danger? But if you instead imagine it as being your life, except it goes on for a longer time, the question becomes—do you actually enjoy being confronted with mortal danger?
Or, put another way: I’d lay odds that most people would have more fun playing Dungeons and Dragons than Russian Roulette.
Improving your quality of life?
Having and controlling resources isn’t a terminal goal for me, and I suspect that anyone who treats it as one has lost track of what they really want.
“Die awesomely”—but it’s a rather low priority goal...
I decided a long time ago that it would be much cooler to repeatedly fake my death until all reports that I’ve died are regarded as implausible.