Thanks ,I needed that!

In this reality, can mental scars be healed as well? Because if I would be stuck living an eternity with depression/anxiety then fck that. I am finding a way to restore my mortality!

@demifeministgal It seems to me that overcoming depression and anxiety would be the goal of any sensible person, whether or not they are immortal. But that should not, in my view, mean the total erasure of memory, or removal of the emotional scar, as this would result in a reduced awareness of the suffering of others. It is the recollection of our own experiences of both physical and emotional pain that enable us to empathize deeply with other creatures.

I am not lacking sensibility here either. You assume clinical disorders are something one can overcome or heal from, like a broken limb, rather than something one lives with and manages the symptoms of. You'd be surprised the LIFElong effects on the brain and body that trauma has. Also, empathy is actually an evolutionary trait. And one can definitely learn or be socialized to be empathic WITHOUT having to suffer needlessly. Plenty of people that have not suffered have developed or possess empathy after all.

"Empathy makes us reach out to others, first just emotionally, but later in life also by understanding their situation.

This capacity likely evolved because it served our ancestors’ survival in two ways. First, like every mammal, we need to be sensitive to the needs of our offspring. Second, our species depends on cooperation, which means that we do better if we are surrounded by healthy, capable group mates. Taking care of them is just a matter of enlightened self-interest."

[greatergood.berkeley.edu].

@demifeministgal I assumed you to be a sensible person from the start for wanting to overcome depression and anxiety. My apologies if it didn’t appear so. Also, I assume no such thing regarding clinical disorders. My point is that, in this context of an entirely hypothetical discussion of immortality, once healing occurs, a removal of the memory of this suffering would be counterproductive to our ability as humans to empathize—a capacity that I agree is evolved, and without which we would not be here.

Yes, we can empathize without having experienced the same pain or anguish, but just as there is a difference between the theoretical and the practical, those who have suffered in the same manner are best equipped to walk in the other person’s shoes. For example, although all of us have experienced the pain and hurt of humiliation, how many of us were mocked by a school teacher for stuttering? Joe Biden’s experience in this particular area enables him to empathize more deeply and to win the trust of a young stutterer more effectively than most.

@DenoPenno yes those earlier days ...but you'll need the technology too, coupled with what you know now. For now it's just in movies I look forward to space travel instead.

Wait, what?

I watched that. It isn't too bad.

Being a Dr Who would be advantageous.

@Beowulfsfriend provided you do not have any problems with the eye of Harmony in the cloister room..

Same. hehe

Me! I have accomplished anything I would want to accomplish, seen all I need to see, loved move than I deserved. I am ready to go anytime.

@Barnie2years
What keeps you here?

@skado because I am in relatively good health, and my life is quite pleasant and affords me enough joy that I embrasse each day. Plus, suicide hurts those who care for you much more than it helps the person who does it. That has prevented me from doing it at various times in my life when I didn’t see a reason to go on. I would never do that to my parents and friends.

@Barnie2years
What if medical technology advances to the point the only way to die is by choosing to?

@skado I would not worry about things I don’t believe will happen. We can’t even control a little virus. Like I said, I live today and have no worries about what tomorrow may bring.
If anything, at some point I expect the average age to go down, except for the very wealthy who will be able to afford whatever new fangled science comes up with to keep some part of a person viable.
It doesn’t change the fact that I would not take extraneous measures to extend my life just for the sake of my own ego. I do have a DNR and my son has been instructed that no heroic measures need to be taken just to keep my heart beating.

@Redneckliberal
...but I do want to go into the unknown, that's where I differ. I don't have a fear of it. I've always had a curious mind. Love the idea of ageless, timeless, maybe 1000 years but not infinity. Technology will be advanced enough to give me enough time to decide I'm visiting planet x today or tomorrow

@TimeOutForMe ....religion is the practice of not dealing with those feelings...religion is building a wall around yourself to insulate yourself from reality......I too am "curious " ...to a fault!....that said I've made the opportunity to do my bucket list many times over!!.....the last time I was in your area I was in mossel bay swimming with great white sharks!..as soon as this covid mess is over I'm back!!!

@Redneckliberal and since I have not had a religion since my teens, I remain open-minded and curious. Please let me know when you're here. We have PM'd before and should you wish to spend a few days in johannesburg, before going back home you're most welcome. You should consider doing photographs on the whales on another trip. They pass that side for more than six month's while you're shooting the great whites. Gordon's Bay, Hermanus, Shelley Beach, Britannia Bay. ...on the same Garden Route as Mossel Bay. I've got some great pics of the whales from Britannia Bay/Beach I'll pm them to you.

@TimeOutForMe thanks again so much!!!...ive done the whales several times at Mboiti while filming the sardine run...they are spectacular!!!...when covid allows ill be there!!!

@Redneckliberal the sardine run is spectacular. Nature's best. Yes when travel is relaxed and we've got money again

I highly recommend The Good Place. Don't be turned off by the "afterlife" theme, it is about so much more than that. The writers practically rake pop culture over the coals and provide many fun and clever plot twists. Some episodes are near masterpieces, such as the one with Stephen Merchant (Season 3, Episode 10). The show did not offend my agnostic sensibilities in the least and the ending was touchingly poignant.