Do I really want to die? (How about you?)

If one day humans have the choice of becoming immortal one day,would you choose to become it?

This is one of those questions that people don’t agree upon, but most of their arguments for their respective beliefs are actually impossible to refute.

At least this is what happens when I consider arguments from both camps and my mind always becomes a living hell each time at the end.

I was once a firm believer in natural mortality.I once believed the cycle of life and death and and I considered it as an essential part of life and I also once believed that we can’t appreciate life unless our time on this flying giant rock is limited and I thought to myself:Why would anyone want to live forever?All those Silicon Valley billionaire must be so delusional and arrogant to declare war on Death itself. Don’t they realize that even the universe will come to an end one day?Don’t they realize that they can’t have it all in life?

But on the other hand, during a period of time in the past, I was the complete opposite. I followed all the hype in the field of nanotechnology. I fantasized about uploading your consciousness to an infinite “conscious cloud”. I also speculated about the potential last human invention:Super AI and so many other things…I thought about how there are endless amount of stuff that I can discover and appreciate if time is on my side.I thought about how I can always start a new “life” by simply trying out new things and I thought to myself:Why would anyone want to die?Death is just a disease that we can solve by increasing our knowledge in the field of science and technology.Why should I listen to some freaking religious people’s opinions about Death?

In the end, I was completely lost and stuck in my reasoning.

I didn’t know which camp I should take anymore and I don’t think I will ever make a final decision.

Just like any other controversial topics which are currently being debated in our world, it is hard to take one side completely.

This went on for a long time and finally, one day, there was a temporary truce in my head

You are wondering how? Great, because I do not know how either.Or should I say,I don’t know how in details. But I do know the trigger.

It was just a random thought.

But it was a game changer.

The thought was: No matter if immortality will be achieved or not during my lifetime, I will choose to be buried under ground and the soil will decompose my body and a tree will be planted right above where I will be buried.

I know,some of you must be thinking that this is not a solution at all but merely a compromise that I made to myself. In other words, I did not make a final decision at all.

I’ll admit, it is pretty much like “embracing your own mortality” thing.

But at least in this case, instead of being inside a box designed to fit me inside,

I will become part of a new life, consciously or not. The energy of my body will be transferred to the tree, so then I can be part with Earth and the universe, again.

And you know the best part? My children and the following generations can come and visit me any time they want. When it’s spring, they will be amazed by the power of new life. When it’s summer, the leafs will block the shades for them, so they can have a nice nap with me. When it’s autumn, they can appreciate the beauty of nature and when it’s the winter, the tree will be a symbol of resilience and a beacon of hope for them.

And most importantly, they can simply come next to me to be in peace.

But then, what about uploading your entire consciousness to a computer? Wouldn’t that be better than a silly tree?

Yes, my friends, I am aware of all the possible new inventions and the future is extremely hard to predict.

But for now, this is my best possible compromise.

I think the reason why I am struggling so much with this choice is because I do not really have a strong and fixated belief.

I believe that you and me will go through a lot of changes during our brief time here on this planet.

Maybe 20 years from now, my choice would be the complete opposite.

But for now, it’s perfect for me.

And finally, if I wasted your time, I am sorry for taking away your precious time.