Hypothetically...

[jmfargo]

I heard a quote recently that really resonated with me.

Paraphrasing heavily, "most people longing for immortality can't figure out what to do on a rainy Thursday afternoon."

What would somebody have to do in order to deserve immortality? If you could give immortality to one person, but only through choosing personality traits, what unique traits would that person have to have?

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Good question...
At least I don't have trouble figuring out what to do on a rainy Thursday afternoon :) i keep hearing people say how they're sick of Winter (and have been for quite some time already), while I'm thinking "Sheesh! I don't have TIME for nice weather, I'm too busy as it is!"

I was pondering "immortality", or at least a VERY long lifespan, and wondering "What happens once you've reached the pinnacle of your dreams and desires, and then still have hundreds of years to live after that?" Do you decline from having reached your aspirations into nothing, move on to newer and greater ones, or what?

I've always thought that if you were granted "immortality", you would have responsibilities far above and beyond those of everyday life. You would be a keeper of history, akin to that 'archivist' from Dragonlance, or The Watcher from the DC universe. Using your immortality for purely selfish purposes would be greedy and unworthy of the mantle.

I think in order to deserve immortality you need to be an orphan who makes toys and delivers them through blizzards and sickness to needy children. At least that's one of the few mortals I know who has been granted such a gift :)

-tt

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

I think once you've reached the pinnacle, you take some time to enjoy it, and then move on to a new pinnacle, reaching for a higher peak. :)

Personally, I think that a person who is granted immortality might not HAVE responsibilities far above and beyond those of everyday life, but would eventually have to take them on. With all that knowledge, and the ability to do something about it (assuming we're talking true immortality here, not just overly long life), you'd just have to do something.

Though I once was offered the chance to become a champion for a God, essentially immortal and all-powerful, but I had to give up everything and everyone I knew. I had to champion their cause, but could never contact my loved ones again. Tough choice, you know?*

*

who wants to live forever?

[padiwack.livejournal.com]

Since we are obviously not designed for it, would granting immortality to some "deserving" someone be, in actuality, a "gift"?

Interesting questions on a Thursday afternoon! :-)

Re: who wants to live forever?

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

meopta said pretty much the same thing, wishing the "gift" on someone she hates. Personally, I think that you could use the unique trait of "someone that won't go insane due to immortality" or simply "someone who is 'wired' for it" as meopta phrases it.

[wdomburg.livejournal.com]

I don't understand people like that. The only time I get bored is if there is some constraint placed on my actions - waiting in line at the bank perhaps, or stuck in a meeting at work.

I came to terms with the sad fact that I would die leaving behind thousands upon thousands of unread books and unwatched movies and untasted foods and unpursued interests...

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

I can get bored when I'm just sitting around not doing anything, but it's usually more a feeling of not WANTING to do anything, not that I'm unable to do anything, which I believe is closer to boredom.

Funny thing is, waiting in lines or being stuck in a meeting are times I'm never bored. I can just put a part of my brain on some other interesting subject while the rest pays attention to what's going on around me. Usually my thought process involves zombies, but YMMV.

[wdomburg.livejournal.com]

If I'm to the point of not wanting to do anything, I usually enjoy doing nothing. :)

I have a tendency to get lost in thought, so tuning out in those situations can be dangerous or embarrassing.

[reverendfixxxer.livejournal.com]

If you could give immortality to one person, but only through choosing personality traits, what unique traits would that person have to have?

He would know how to live... but on his terms (or hers). I wouldn't try to judge someone as "really knowing how to live" because they were constantly doing stuff like cliff diving or getting in touch with nature. Nor would I judge such based on how big of an imprint he makes in someone else's life (such as work for and donating to charities). My criteria is simple... he has to know what makes him happy and he has to pursue that wholeheartedly.

Thus, by my criteria it's theoretically possible for a serial murderer to be granted immortality, so long as killing individuals that meet a certain profile is what truly makes him happy with no questions asked. It's not a popular idea, I'm sure, but technicalities aside, it works for me.

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm thinking that I like your basic criteria, but that it needs work. Personally I'd rather not have an immortal serial murderer running around, you know?

[meopta.livejournal.com]

I'd have to really hate them. We're not wired for that. I'd have to really hate them, and I'd want them to be unable to impact others via the fact of their immortality to eradicate the obvious cult potential.

[jfargo.livejournal.com]

Well, one of the traits if you wanted to give it to a decent person could be "they have to be wired to handle it." ;)

But yes, I get what you're saying.

[alicetheowl.livejournal.com]

I've written a trilogy (fiction) trying to answer that very question.

My characters have decided that immortality sucks, but it's easier if other people have to suffer through it, too.