looking forward to being a geriatric??? - General Discussion

RubusRoo · 24-05-2007, 23:30

or are you like me & hope you die in your 60's before double incontinance strikes & you live out your twilight years in a nappy?

god, i don't want to be old. imagine being a pensioner with no friends or family waiting (hoping) for death in an old peoples home with some immigrant plonking you on a commode whilst they go stuff their face with chocolates?

sorry, i'm having a bad day.

dawnrayd · 24-05-2007, 23:33

I have similar fears, you have should have a word with my friends at http://alcor.org

Biffo the Bear · 24-05-2007, 23:40

You know, I was thinking about the whole cryonics thing the other day and logically it would probably work!

If the conditions of the suspension are right, then there's no reason why your brain couldn't be implanted into a nice new cloned body and then revived as, given our current rate of scientific advancement, and barring any nuclear wars taking us back to the Stone Age, this will become scientific fact within the next 10000 years, it's a certainty!

The only gamble would be whether the citizens of the future society would actually -want- their ancestors to be walking around. If we revived someone from ancient Rome, can you imagine the hell they'd go through? No family or friends left. A completely alien society. Fresh memories that only a few academics would be interested in. Also, would that society accept them given that they would be a throwback to a 'darker' age?

No doubt this post will be archived and presumably readable in 10000 years.. I'd love to see what they thought of it then and, perhaps, it might make them a little more sympathetic to the cause of their formerly frozen brethren.

RubusRoo · 24-05-2007, 23:41

jeez, would you really want to come back though?

i wouldn't. i can't really see any point, they'll be nothing left to come back to.

Biffo the Bear · 24-05-2007, 23:47

In what context? Presumably, ideas of money and such like will be things of the past by then, and humanity's focus will be on personal and sociological development.

Just think how fantastic it would be to wake up in a society where suffering because of greed was a thing of the past and you can travel to another solar system in a few minutes using some kind of quantum science based mode of transport.

As you can guess, I kind of wish I'd been born a little in the future

Again, if any time-travel capable society is reading this in the future, I'd quite like a guided tour of what was to be. I promise not to tell anyone what's going to happen either

dawnrayd · 24-05-2007, 23:47

It will certainly work at some point, and cryonics technology is getting better every day. These days, as they gradually lower you temperature, your blood is gradually replaced with anti-freeze solution, and they 'vitrify' you, as opposed to freezing, as cellular damage is caused by freezing. But of course, in 500 years, I'm sure with the help of nano-technology, any complications would be overcome.

As to if they would want people from our time, being revived, that's their problem. And I'm sure as hell willing to take the risk. What's the options? You die. Or, you die, with a possibility of living forever? Good odds to me, and I'm a betting man.

Biffo the Bear · 24-05-2007, 23:50

But what if when you died you actually became as one with a Universal consciousness and thus you'd miss out on this?

Cheating death is certainly something of a gamble

patosmissus · 24-05-2007, 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumps36

or are you like me & hope you die in your 60's before double incontinance strikes & you live out your twilight years in a nappy?

god, i don't want to be old. imagine being a pensioner with no friends or family waiting (hoping) for death in an old peoples home with some immigrant plonking you on a commode whilst they go stuff their face with chocolates?

sorry, i'm having a bad day.

My mum always used to say the same. She didn't want to end up in some old folks home or being a burden to anyone. She said that if she got to a point where she couldn't do stuff for herself and senility kicked in that she wanted me to put a bullet in her head!!

Well she died on the 8th May aged 62 from cancer and the Saturday before she went into the hospice (she went in the following Wednesday and died the Tuesday after) she went shopping (albeit it a wheelchair) and was very much still living her life. So she went the way she wanted. Still living life and not letting it take over her! In the end I think she just got fed up fighting and thought 'bugger this.....I'm off for a rest!" Good on you mum!

dawnrayd · 24-05-2007, 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biffo The Bear

But what if when you died you actually became as one with a Universal consciousness and thus you'd miss out on this?

As a realist, do you really believe that?

RubusRoo · 24-05-2007, 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawnrayd

It will certainly work at some point, and cryonics technology is getting better every day. These days, as they gradually lower you temperature, your blood is gradually replaced with anti-freeze solution, and they 'vitrify' you, as opposed to freezing, as cellular damage is caused by freezing. But of course, in 500 years, I'm sure with the help of nano-technology, any complications would be overcome.

As to if they would want people from our time, being revived, that's their problem. And I'm sure as hell willing to take the risk. What's the options? You die. Or, you die, with a possibility of living forever? Good odds to me, and I'm a betting man.

ace. is that like that plasticnation stuff that that crazy german doctor does to dead people?

Smeggypants · 24-05-2007, 23:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumps36

or are you like me & hope you die in your 60's before double incontinance strikes & you live out your twilight years in a nappy?
......

Well my Mum is 80 and is in the best of health. She's certainly no geriatric.

Don't die before your time

dawnrayd · 24-05-2007, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumps36

ace. is that like that plasticnation stuff that that crazy german doctor does to dead people?

Plasticnation is the poor man's cryonics, and I see less chance of that working. You don't have to be rich to be cryonically suspended, you only need a life insurance policy, which you say the cryonics company of your choice is the benefactor.

Biffo the Bear · 24-05-2007, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawnrayd

As a realist, do you really believe that?

Well, until someone can explain to me how the Big Bang could've been propagated in a finite system, I'll take the nature of the Cosmos with a dose of infinity and all the possibilities that reside therein

dawnrayd · 25-05-2007, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biffo The Bear

Well, until someone can explain to me how the Big Bang could've been propagated in a finite system, I'll take the nature of the Cosmos with a dose of infinity and all the possibilities that reside therein

In 1000 years time, after I've been revived, I'll ponder your incomphrensible response

nafanny29 · 25-05-2007, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biffo The Bear

As you can guess, I kind of wish I'd been born a little in the future

Again, if any time-travel capable society is reading this in the future, I'd quite like a guided tour of what was to be. I promise not to tell anyone what's going to happen either

I have always wondered about time travel.

I cant get my head around the fact that if it were ever to be invested we would see these people from the future come back to visit us now surely. So does that mean its impossible because no one has come back?

MissDFyd · 25-05-2007, 00:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawnrayd

I have similar fears, you have should have a word with my friends at http://alcor.org

Nah, I was cryogenically frozen 2 years ago, and I definitely wouldn't recommend it!

Just get old (at least you get to be rude to everyone).

Biffo the Bear · 25-05-2007, 00:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by nafanny29

I have always wondered about time travel.

I cant get my head around the fact that if it were ever to be invested we would see these people from the future come back to visit us now surely. So does that mean its impossible because no one has come back?

Not necessarily. Perhaps they can't risk it because of the potential creation of disturbances to the time line - and depending on which time theory you subscribe to, it could either be catastrophic or have no effect at all; I'm guessing they'd prefer not to try and find out.

RubusRoo · 25-05-2007, 00:07

we're not talking about freaking time travel.

we're talking about spending the last years of your life in a piss stinking old peoples home with some B.O ridden burk vaguely washing you & dressing you in yesterdays soup-of-the-day spattered clothes.

not being fed or hydrated because they can't be arsed.

not being medicated or being over medicated to shut you up.

legalise euthanasia. please.

Biffo the Bear · 25-05-2007, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawnrayd

In 1000 years time, after I've been revived, I'll ponder your incomphrensible response

Oh keep reading it, it'll click eventually

dawnrayd · 25-05-2007, 00:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biffo The Bear

Oh keep reading it, it'll click eventually

It's a date...

Smeggypants · 25-05-2007, 00:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumps36

we're not talking about freaking time travel.

we're talking about spending the last years of your life in a piss stinking old peoples home with some B.O ridden burk vaguely washing you & dressing you in yesterdays soup-of-the-day spattered clothes.

not being fed or hydrated because they can't be arsed.

not being medicated or being over medicated to shut you up.

legalise euthanasia. please.

Why do you automatically assume you're going to spend your last days like that?

Is it some sterotype you've picked from somewhere?

RubusRoo · 25-05-2007, 00:13

i don't assume it. but it's a undeniable possibility is it not?

beagle23atrad · 25-05-2007, 04:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumps36

or are you like me & hope you die in your 60's before double incontinance strikes & you live out your twilight years in a nappy?

god, i don't want to be old. imagine being a pensioner with no friends or family waiting (hoping) for death in an old peoples home with some immigrant plonking you on a commode whilst they go stuff their face with chocolates?

sorry, i'm having a bad day.

In 2005, I was in a nasty R.T.A. on A10 in France. Had brain injury +++. I was on a ventilator for a week. The 'froggie' docs/nurses saved my life. As long as I don't become senile/lose the plot/get to be too much of a burden, I want to live as long as poss. I'm in my fifties now and I relish/am extremely grateful for my life.Long may I reign!!

25-05-2007, 06:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by thumps36

we're not talking about freaking time travel.

we're talking about spending the last years of your life in a piss stinking old peoples home with some B.O ridden burk vaguely washing you & dressing you in yesterdays soup-of-the-day spattered clothes.

not being fed or hydrated because they can't be arsed.

not being medicated or being over medicated to shut you up.

legalise euthanasia. please.

Prior to my maternity leave, I was one of those 'burks' - you mention.
I would like to point out, that some of us do actually care.
I used to love my job.
I will agree that there are bad care assistants (and nurses also) out there, but we're not all bad.
I went into the job because I am a caring, compassionate, empathetic person and I thought I could make a difference to people who were spending their last days in probably what would seem a 'strange' environment to them.
I would also like to point out, before anybody could possibly mention it, that not all care assistants are made up of people who just can't get a 'better' job. I have a good education, but I chose to do it, albeit for a meagre pittance of a wage.
I will be looking forward to becoming a geriatric if I get like minded carers, but will not if people's attitudes to the elderly don't change!

Hathor · 25-05-2007, 07:45

I want to be shot/executed as soon as I reach 70. This way I will likely avoid:

Arthritis
Dementia
Parkinsons Disease
Brittle Bone
Incontinence
Cancer
Stroke
Prostate Problems
Kidney Stones
Failing Eyesight
Deafness
Frailty

Being despised by young people.
Being put in a care home and mistreated.
Fed though a tube.
Relying on home carers to feed me, who only prepare jam sandwiches once every 2 days.

24-05-2007, 23:30	#1
RubusRoo Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Alba Services: Extracting sunlight from cucumbers. Posts: 7,051	looking forward to being a geriatric??? or are you like me & hope you die in your 60's before double incontinance strikes & you live out your twilight years in a nappy? god, i don't want to be old. imagine being a pensioner with no friends or family waiting (hoping) for death in an old peoples home with some immigrant plonking you on a commode whilst they go stuff their face with chocolates? sorry, i'm having a bad day.

25-05-2007, 00:07	#18
RubusRoo Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Alba Services: Extracting sunlight from cucumbers. Posts: 7,051	No No No... we're not talking about freaking time travel. we're talking about spending the last years of your life in a piss stinking old peoples home with some B.O ridden burk vaguely washing you & dressing you in yesterdays soup-of-the-day spattered clothes. not being fed or hydrated because they can't be arsed. not being medicated or being over medicated to shut you up. legalise euthanasia. please.

24-05-2007, 23:33	#2
dawnrayd Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Location: Liverpool Posts: 1,578	I have similar fears, you have should have a word with my friends at http://alcor.org

24-05-2007, 23:40	#3
Biffo the Bear Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Nottingham Services: Prestel 14.4k, ZX81, Betamax video player Posts: 6,740	You know, I was thinking about the whole cryonics thing the other day and logically it would probably work! If the conditions of the suspension are right, then there's no reason why your brain couldn't be implanted into a nice new cloned body and then revived as, given our current rate of scientific advancement, and barring any nuclear wars taking us back to the Stone Age, this will become scientific fact within the next 10000 years, it's a certainty! The only gamble would be whether the citizens of the future society would actually -want- their ancestors to be walking around. If we revived someone from ancient Rome, can you imagine the hell they'd go through? No family or friends left. A completely alien society. Fresh memories that only a few academics would be interested in. Also, would that society accept them given that they would be a throwback to a 'darker' age? No doubt this post will be archived and presumably readable in 10000 years.. I'd love to see what they thought of it then and, perhaps, it might make them a little more sympathetic to the cause of their formerly frozen brethren.

24-05-2007, 23:41	#4
RubusRoo Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Alba Services: Extracting sunlight from cucumbers. Posts: 7,051	jeez, would you really want to come back though? i wouldn't. i can't really see any point, they'll be nothing left to come back to.

24-05-2007, 23:47	#5
Biffo the Bear Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Nottingham Services: Prestel 14.4k, ZX81, Betamax video player Posts: 6,740	In what context? Presumably, ideas of money and such like will be things of the past by then, and humanity's focus will be on personal and sociological development. Just think how fantastic it would be to wake up in a society where suffering because of greed was a thing of the past and you can travel to another solar system in a few minutes using some kind of quantum science based mode of transport. As you can guess, I kind of wish I'd been born a little in the future Again, if any time-travel capable society is reading this in the future, I'd quite like a guided tour of what was to be. I promise not to tell anyone what's going to happen either

24-05-2007, 23:50	#7
Biffo the Bear Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Nottingham Services: Prestel 14.4k, ZX81, Betamax video player Posts: 6,740	But what if when you died you actually became as one with a Universal consciousness and thus you'd miss out on this? Cheating death is certainly something of a gamble

25-05-2007, 00:13	#22
RubusRoo Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Alba Services: Extracting sunlight from cucumbers. Posts: 7,051	i don't assume it. but it's a undeniable possibility is it not?

25-05-2007, 07:45	#25
Hathor Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Babylon and Ting Services: I reject your reality, and substitute my own! Posts: 8,957	I want to be shot/executed as soon as I reach 70. This way I will likely avoid: Arthritis Dementia Parkinsons Disease Brittle Bone Incontinence Cancer Stroke Prostate Problems Kidney Stones Failing Eyesight Deafness Frailty Being despised by young people. Being put in a care home and mistreated. Fed though a tube. Relying on home carers to feed me, who only prepare jam sandwiches once every 2 days.