eternal life

February 12th, 2018 at 11:22:52 PM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
The novel "Altered Carbon" raises an interesting question. If the very wealthy could afford eternal life, by moving their consciousness into new healthy bodies, would the ultimate plutocracy be created?A virtual hell on earth where immortal sociopaths would only increase in wealth and power, becoming impervious to the pain and suffering of the mortals.

The idea was also brought up in Aeon Flux in 2005.

February 12th, 2018 at 11:57:53 PM permalink
petroglyph
Member since: Aug 3, 2014
Threads: 25
Posts: 6227
Have you noticed that both Henry Kissinger and George Soros, both look younger than they did ten years ago?

If a longevity treatment was found, could we afford it, or should it be left to a select few?

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170323141340.htm
The last official act of any government is to loot the treasury. GW
February 13th, 2018 at 1:22:28 AM permalink
Evenbob
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 146
Posts: 25010
One of the founders of FB says he's going
to live 150 years or longer. And there will
be financial dynasties created because of
it that will last a thousand years. Rockefeller
was the richest man in the world till he
died at 99 and his wealth was split up.
If you live 200 years, that's a long time
to accumulate wealth.
If you take a risk, you may lose. If you never take a risk, you will always lose.
February 13th, 2018 at 9:29:14 AM permalink
beachbumbabs
Member since: Sep 3, 2013
Threads: 6
Posts: 1600
There has been a lot of sci-fi speculation on this theme.over the last 50-60 years. I find it a compelling subject.

Suggest reading John Varley (nearly all of his 8 world stories and novels deal directly or as part of the world routine with it. He's also an exceptional writer, a natural heir to RA Heinlein), some of Michael Crichton's early novels (Terminal Man, Andromeda Strain), a few others that get into it in some depth. Phillip K. Dick is another (Bladerunner source)
Never doubt a small group of concerned citizens can change the world; it's the only thing ever has
February 13th, 2018 at 10:03:35 AM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
Quote: beachbumbabs
There has been a lot of sci-fi speculation on this theme.over the last 50-60 years. I find it a compelling subject.


I found a suggested reading list.

12 Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler – 1980
11 Chasm City by Alastair Reynolds – 2001
10 The Boat of a Million Years by Poul Anderson – 1989
9 The Worthing Saga by Orson Scott Card – 1990
8 The Immortality Virus by Christine Amsden – 2011
7 This Immortal by Roger Zelazny – 1965
6 Pandora’s Star by Peter F. Hamilton – 2004
5 Immortality, Inc. by Robert Sheckley – 1958
4 The Immortality Game by Ted Cross – 2014
3 The Postmortal by Drew Magary – 2011
2 Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan – 2002
1 Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift – 1726
It’s impressive that a story almost three hundred years old has a more radical approach to dealing with immortality than many modern novels.

In 1958 they imagined that there might be a corporation that could guarantee eternal life by the year 2110. Too bad they didn't predict Facebook.
February 13th, 2018 at 11:55:14 AM permalink
Nareed
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 346
Posts: 12545
I plan to live forever. I'm doing great thus far, not having died even once :)
Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER