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Saturday, November 19, 2016

Not For Long

It goes without saying, this week’s film Be Right Back was very interest. The idea of one being able to have such a similar form of a lost loved one is beyond tempting, it’s irresistible. I have mixed feelings about this.
On the one hand, I absolutely would not want such essential characteristics of me to live on if I physically die. I don’t want a part two of me. I honestly feel like as that kind of “downloaded conscience” becomes more and more common that the grieving process for the dead will become less intense.  Which may not seem like a bad thing, however it also minimizes the celebration of the life of that person as well. It will take from the gathering of family to look back on the life of that individual and remember the good and the bad times that was shared with that person. I would not want to pass and my family or friends think, “Lisheena, just physically died. Later I’ll just upload her conscious to the cloud.”
On the other hand, I can’t imagine myself turning down an opportunity to allow my loved one to prevail in another form. I would be in so much pain that I would just do anything to see or talk to that person again. Although I think that this is a very selfish desire, my thoughts would be clouded with anguish to the point where I would even care to do anything BUT get this technology.
As I mentioned I do think that it is a selfish endeavor, because it’s just meant to soothe the living. In actuality, that person is still dead. This concept doesn’t benefit the deceased in no obvious way.  And we would realize this, “downloaded conscience” is so WE won’t miss their presence. Tying back into my first point, it bypasses the death of that person in a sense.
All in all, I don’t hate the idea of this technology. Yes, this technology could prove useful to those people who don’t want to grieve. I personally would absolutely WANT to miss, grieve and celebrate my loved one. I think that process promotes appreciation for the people that we have in our lives, knowing that they could be gone at any hour, minute, second. Here today, gone tomorrow.

However, with the “downloaded conscience”, oh well, part 2 of (enter your loved ones name here). One is gone, but not for long.

1 comment:

Nicole Johnson said...

I agree with your blog 100%, after the death of a loved one I too could not turn down an opportunity to see my loved one prevail in another form. I agree that this act is selfish, however, I believe to a certain extent this can be a healthy part of grieving.