How would you prefer to die?

[Snuffkin]

I've seen this or a similar topic posted on other forums, and it always gets good, interesting responses. Accepting that all biological life is in a state of constant decay, it becomes pretty easy to form a preference in this respect no matter how much you'd prefer to avoid it indefinitely. Entropy's a bitch.

As for me, I'd like to die either in a revolution whose ideals I had respect for, or defending a loved won (though I would of course prefer to simply win that fight). I'd also prefer if this were to happen while I'm still in a state where, by my own values, I'm worthy of respect. (IE, I'm not a mentally degraded nitwit or incapable of contributing to society.) Madotsuki-style is a tad pathetic for me. And no, I'm not posting this because I'm depressed and think about it constantly.

In coming up with your answers, I'd prefer if you didn't reference transhuminism and state that you'd rather just live in perpetual technological sustainment. Even if that's the case, it makes no sense as a response here.

[TheCynic]

I've always had a gut feeling that I'd be slaughtered by terrorists.

As for how I WANT to die: I wish I can sacrifice my life for the sake of something larger than me. Something important, and something good. I want it to be in front of the whole world - so that they know it was ME who did it. I'm a horrible exhibitionist - I don't like it, but I am - and I want all of humanity to know that I threw away every thing for their sake, and I want them to praise me for it.

That, or take a bullet for a loved one, like you said.

As to the EXACT method of death, and not the circumstances (technically Snuffkin you only mentioned the circumstances, not the method. Everyone would probably say the same thing about circumstances.), I think falling off from a high place is the best sort of death - it's quick and possibly painless, and you get to fly before you die.

[Snuffkin]

So basically a similar thing to me in both cases, except I'd rather be a martyr than a savior. I figure so long as I'm going to die anyway, the more pain there is the more heroism. I'd just rather it involved getting shot or disemboweled to getting burnt. I know I'm pretty anemic, so chances are I'd pass out soon after being sliced open. Not too shabby.

[Wren]

"Do not seek death. Death will find you. But seek the road which makes death a fulfillment."

~Dag Hammarskjold

Personally I would try to leave my mark on this world, even if it is a tiny footnote in history.

[Brasse]

With as little pain and discomfort as possible. A standard lethal injection with an overdose of sodium thiopental and perhaps a dash of Pavulon (if an automated injection system can be deviced) should do the trick. Cyanide and other traditional poisons (arsenic, hemlock etc.) are slow and painful killers, and while they're easy to come by and get the job done, I'd much rather gather enough barbiturates to OD on - quick, clean, efficient and no physical pain beyond the sting of the needle. Angst, regret and such are only present for 10 seconds or so if a five-gram dose of thiopental is administered. A cocktail of euphoria-inducing chemicals, mixed with the drugs mentioned above, could also be a viable alternative. Seeing as I'll probably get cancer or slowly decay from old age if I don't take my own life, this is my preferred way to go once I grow weary of living. Other effective methods include slitting your wrists (properly) in a hot bath, preferably under the influence of morphine, blowing my head up with high-explosives (a tad too crude and messy for my taste) and various forms of autohypoxia (Exit's euthanasia device seems especially well suited for this purpose, although I dislike the idea of asphyxia for some reason, despite the supposed lack of alarm response if one uses a non-reactive gas). I've entertained the idea of a suicide attack on some groups I despise, but I've come to write off that idea as petty, risky and likely to cause unwanted collateral damage. As for dying for a cause, I'd much rather emerge victorious and pluck the fruits of victory.

Regarding transhumanism - live forever? I could not think of a more horrible fate. I don't really fear death (as in cessation of conciousness) after watching a Let's Play of I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream (obviously, I still find the actual act of dying scary, as you can probably tell from my interest in making it as short and painless as possible), but the idea of being trapped in the same stream of conciousness forever terrifies me.

[TonyTwoFingers]

Guess I'm going to be the one that wusses out. Nothing cool like Les Mis getting shot out of a window for the revolution, or Thelma and Louise fight-the-powering 200 feet straight down.

"What death is preferable to any other? The unexpected." -- Julius Caesar

Now, dictatorial tendencies aside, the guy had a point. And though he did die... unexpectedly, I don't think that's quite how he envisioned it going down.

In my sleep would be a nice way to go. And not a lot of fanfare or calls for attention. Just something quiet. I'd like to be surrounded by my family and loved ones. And I'd like to have some kind of poetically simple last words. Nothing like "To die would be an awfully big adventure," a la Peter Pan. Just something that seems insignificant at the time, but holds more meaning postmortem. Like the work of a famous artist. Something like, "I'll see you when I wake up."

I guess that's cheesy, but damn it, I'm the one dying and I reserve the right to be cheesy on my death bed. Yeah, quiet death in my sleep would be nice.

[KRiZ831]

I'd like to die in war. A warriors death but if I survive hey that's cool too. This is a pretty heavy subject for me. My life has changed a lot because of this very same question was asked to me two years ago. Looking back it made a huge change.

[kosherbacon]

I don't really care too much about how I'd die, but I'd like my funeral to be a happy occasion with BBQ and strippers. I never liked going to memorial services, and I wouldn't want anyone to pretend to be somber out of obligation.

[TonyTwoFingers]

I don't really care too much about how I'd die, but I'd like my funeral to be a happy occasion with BBQ and strippers. I never liked going to memorial services, and I wouldn't want anyone to pretend to be somber out of obligation.

You would like Irish funerals. Also, if you haven't, you should read Finnegans Wake. Sounds like it'd be up your alley.

[Gloom]

I don't really care too much about how I'd die, but I'd like my funeral to be a happy occasion with BBQ and strippers. I never liked going to memorial services, and I wouldn't want anyone to pretend to be somber out of obligation.

You would like Irish funerals. Also, if you haven't, you should read Finnegans Wake. Sounds like it'd be up your alley.

For the great Gaels of Ireland are the men God made mad, for all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.

[ILY]

Jumping of off a very large cliff, skydiving without any means of landing unscathed, or something else of that sort is ideal for me.

[ProNice]

I want to die with the knowledge that I lived a good life,
that I made the people I care for happy,
that I created something that lives on without me,
that my work is something everyone may benefit from,
that I changed the world to the better (even a little)
and that I did not waste my time, hesitating.
I want to die together with the person I can not live without.
I want to die when I feel ready.

That would be the most desirable death I can imagine.

[WolfHunner]

I don't really care too much about how I'd die, but I'd like my funeral to be a happy occasion with BBQ and strippers. I never liked going to memorial services, and I wouldn't want anyone to pretend to be somber out of obligation.

This, right here.

[Snuffkin]

I don't really care too much about how I'd die, but I'd like my funeral to be a happy occasion with BBQ and strippers. I never liked going to memorial services, and I wouldn't want anyone to pretend to be somber out of obligation.

You would like Irish funerals. Also, if you haven't, you should read Finnegans Wake. Sounds like it'd be up your alley.

I haven't yet read any of Joyce's works beyond the Crysanthunums. What else by him is good?

[Snuffkin]

With as little pain and discomfort as possible. A standard lethal injection with an overdose of sodium thiopental and perhaps a dash of Pavulon (if an automated injection system can be deviced) should do the trick. Cyanide and other traditional poisons (arsenic, hemlock etc.) are slow and painful killers, and while they're easy to come by and get the job done, I'd much rather gather enough barbiturates to OD on - quick, clean, efficient and no physical pain beyond the sting of the needle. Angst, regret and such are only present for 10 seconds or so if a five-gram dose of thiopental is administered. A cocktail of euphoria-inducing chemicals, mixed with the drugs mentioned above, could also be a viable alternative. Seeing as I'll probably get cancer or slowly decay from old age if I don't take my own life, this is my preferred way to go once I grow weary of living. Other effective methods include slitting your wrists (properly) in a hot bath, preferably under the influence of morphine, blowing my head up with high-explosives (a tad too crude and messy for my taste) and various forms of autohypoxia (Exit's euthanasia device seems especially well suited for this purpose, although I dislike the idea of asphyxia for some reason, despite the supposed lack of alarm response if one uses a non-reactive gas). I've entertained the idea of a suicide attack on some groups I despise, but I've come to write off that idea as petty, risky and likely to cause unwanted collateral damage. As for dying for a cause, I'd much rather emerge victorious and pluck the fruits of victory.

Regarding transhumanism - live forever? I could not think of a more horrible fate. I don't really fear death (as in cessation of consciousness) after watching a Let's Play of I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream (obviously, I still find the actual act of dying scary, as you can probably tell from my interest in making it as short and painless as possible), but the idea of being trapped in the same stream of consciousness forever terrifies me.

Oh fuck yeah! Harlan Ellison! I've loved that dickish old fucker ever since I read the Doomish fic he inspired back on the KS forums and decided to check him out.

Yeah, this is why both preferred causes of mine involved righteous conflict, I want to help clean up the species with my death by taking out as many dumbasses and selfish pricks as possible in the process. Quite frankly, if it came to the point that I accepted death, I would probably go on a killing spree at the convention of one of the two major political parties or at the G20 summit. Otherwise, I'd do the same as you and just OD on some downers.

[jriley1]

Death is a mystery to us living folk, and it always will be, i'm afraid. People who have died and came back are clouded by delusions. But the way I would want to die is in the shadows, quietly protecting someone or something. I don't want to be known as "a savior to us all". I'd rather have people live peaceful lives without the struggle of having to worship me. I guess what i'm trying to say is i'd die as a shadowy figure.

[TheLastMelody]

Death is a mystery to us living folk, and it always will be, i'm afraid. People who have died and came back are clouded by delusions. But the way I would want to die is in the shadows, quietly protecting someone or something. I don't want to be known as "a savior to us all". I'd rather have people live peaceful lives without the struggle of having to worship me. I guess what i'm trying to say is i'd die as a shadowy figure.

And here I thought I was the only one, or I would like to go without anyone even noticing, like, forgotten by everyone and stuff. Or even better, I would like to die as the "partly evil"-guy, if you have played "Live-A-Live" for Super Nintendo(SNES) you are likely to know what I mean, there are probably other examples, but that is the one I remember best. Or as one fighting for my own justice, being branded evil by the system!

(To many "or" in there, my english teacher would have slaughtered me for it >.<)

Life isn't worth living, unless it is lived for someone else.

Life is for the living.
Death is for the dead.
Let life be like music.
And death a note unsaid.

Streb ikke sa meget etter a leve lenge som a leve vel. Og lever du vel, sa er livet langt.
TL: Do not strive so much after living long instead of well. And if you live well, then life is long.

[andy25100]

Death is a mystery to us living folk, and it always will be, i'm afraid. People who have died and came back are clouded by delusions. But the way I would want to die is in the shadows, quietly protecting someone or something. I don't want to be known as "a savior to us all". I'd rather have people live peaceful lives without the struggle of having to worship me. I guess what i'm trying to say is i'd die as a shadowy figure.

How do you know the Chosen Ones? No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his brother. Not for millions. Not for glory, not for fame.... For one person. In the dark. Where no one will ever know or see.

Personally I wouldn't mind being assassinated by anything but poison, it would mean someone has gone to the effort to hire someone to kill me while also showing that I have angered someone enough to want me dead which while not the best thing to do is still impressive in it's own way.

[Printanier]

Ha, ha, ha. Living forever is my worst nightmare, or as Schopenhauer puts it: "To desire immortality is to desire the eternal perpetuation of a great mistake". I would put it in german, but, come on, that would be pedantic even by my own standards. I do not believe in a meaningful death; You die, then you aren't.
In french, death is feminine (La Mort). Thus, I always pictured death like a friend, a lover, a mother. I do not fear death and I know that one day it will embrace me. I was about about to quote Nietzsche, but I just reached my german happy philosopher quote limit.
As Gary will tell you, growing old is not the funniest way to go. As scientific studies will show you, dying is not an easy matter. Shooting yourself? Well, let us hope you don't miss the part of the brain that actually keeps you alive. Poisoning yourself? You wouldn't believe how tough and resilient your body is; It will pull up the fight of its life. O, and you will suffer every single second of it.
I briefly entertained the thought of putting myself in front of a running train (tons of steel versus your fragile body. You lose), but that would be just rude; what about the passengers' insufferable loss of time? Clearly the pitiful chunks of meat that were once your body will dearly pay for this.
I agree with my comrades: throw yourself off the highest point you can find. But once again, do not forget how fucking resilient you can be.

[Likhos]

In french, death is feminine (La Mort). Thus, I always pictured death like a friend, a lover, a mother. I do not fear death and I know that one day it will embrace me. I was about about to quote Nietzsche, but I just reached my german happy philosopher quote limit.

In Brittany (where I live) the death folklore differ, it is named "L'Ankou" and is either pictured as a regular depiction of death (except the scythes blade is reversed) or an old man, seeing him is considered as a sign of close death.