Welcome to Gaia! ::

That would be a GREAT idea!! Also, thank you. *blush*

About a year ago, I lost my boyfriend to death. It was a shock to have it happen so suddenly. But as I have come to realize, death is a gift, it gives us rest till its time to return and learn new lessons, kinda like summer vacation from school. I am not afraid of death, but I don't completely like seeing it or experiencing it either. And I agree, immortality would be a curse.

I wrote a short story on this very topic, actually, some while ago. It was entitle "Cartaphilus is Dead."

Cartaphilus, was a man (either a Roman soldier or a Jewish passerby, depending on the legend) who supposedly taunted and mocked Christ on the way to his crucifixion. He was cursed by Jesus to wander the earth and never die until the second coming.

(For the record, I don't believe the legend has any basis in reality, because I have a hard time believing the Jesus of forgiveness and love would do something so bitchy, even on a really rough day. Still, it's a cool story, and it speaks to the fact that the agonies of human immortality have been wondered about for a long time.)

I would hate to be immortal--unless MAYBE I could also bestow that gift on my loved ones. And even then, the sheer exhaustion of day-to-day existence would really wear on me after a couple of centuries. After all, eternal life doesn't guarantee eternal wealth, eternal happiness, eternal beauty, or even eternal youth.

Still....how tempting it would be. Especially with eternal youth on your side!

It would be fascinating to see the tides of history flow and ebb, see how far the human race could advance or regress. Eternal life would enable one to learn almost anything and everything. I imagine picking a different field of study every decade or so--science, art, medicine, history, archaeology, anthropology, music, language, dance--and then starting over in the field once sufficient advancements are made that your knowledge is rendered obsolete. Imagine the history one could preserve, the knowledge that would otherwise be lost. An immortal could accomplish a lot of good in the world--or a lot of evil.

But the loneliness... I can barely fathom it. How much would it hurt to see loved ones, friends, teachers, pets, family...children, eve...grow old and die. Imagine how many funerals could one attend before one's mind broke down completely? How many times would you beg to die to any deity that would listen? I imagine it could only end in one of two things--madness or sociopathy.

Or, maybe, in time, you would come to accept it. Who knows?

If your loved ones could live alongside you....hmm. Perhaps then immortality would be bearable. That might be endurable. But what if they got tired of immortality and then came to resent YOU for the gift/curse? That would be even worse than hating yourself.

I may need to dig up and revise Cartaphilus is Dead. This question has given me a lot to think about.

*bow* I do my best to give satisfaction.

It's a really fascinating topic. Pops up everywhere, in every mythology. Almost unfathomable.