h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Back to the Actual Subject, Death

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The body is hard wired to persist as long as possible, so if we are at all cognizant of what's going on and have time to reflect on it, the experience of dying must be at least a bit disturbing. I'm deadly serious when I ask this: does it matter how we feel about dying, as we die? Look at the special attention we pay to "famous last words." Some people make a conscious effort to die with style, and make pronouncements that were clearly composed well in advance. "I believe that a life lived for music is an existence spent wonderfully," said Luciano Pavarotti, dying in 2007, "and this is what I have dedicated my life to." He had good lungs right up to the point when they stopped for good. E is more likely to say, finally, "I need more Dilaudid," and I wouldn't think any the less of her. See, we never get a chance to practise this death thing. Perhaps she'll pull out of this, live a little longer, and we can talk about it.

So here is an exercise. What would your last words be? Here are a few to get you started:

I'd hate to die twice. It's so boring.
Richard Feynman

Now why did I do that?
General William Erskine, after he jumped from a window in Lisbon, Portugal in 1813.

Don't disturb my circles!
Archimedes

I just wish I had time for one more bowl of chilli.
Kit Carson

I have just had eighteen whiskeys in a row. I do believe that is a record.
Dylan Thomas

Don't die like I did.
George Best

Where is my clock?
Salvador Dalí

So, this is death. Well!
Thomas Carlyle

[Amy P]

I'd like to be compos mentis to be able to say something along the lines of 'It's been worth it' but I do dread being given morphine as it gives me hallucinations, so I hope I remember to write some instructions while I can still think properly.

I'm also going to try and grasp the nettle and write a living will so there's not too much intervention, in case a minor heart attack happens the medics could revive me from. I'd much rather die fast, from that please. I'm actually quite frightened of the thought of a decade of pain and loss of mental processes.

I'd like to say something like "Oh, wow, they're never going to believe this!" But really, I'd like to go peacefully in my sleep, preferably after a family party.

Deb

E has pulled out of her dive, turned her telly back on, and resumed eating. Staff, however, are still hovering.

I just want to say that I'm here and I'm reading. Usually with R snuggled sleeping on my chest. Life can ce and go in the blink of an eye. These end times you write about are difficult but I'm glad that aomwone dares.

Death is one of the last big taboos.

I agree with deb, I'd prefer dying in my sleep, so no famous last words.

Which reminds me of this riddle:

What is it that is sexually transmitted, incurable and always has a deadly outcome?

Life

My brother had a tee shirt that said "Death is Nature's way of telling you to slow down."

Good heavens, we don't have a death smiley.