A Caffeine-Induced Musing

I'm supposed to be studying for a test. But as usual, it's when I have to study that the philosophical thoughts come rushing in.

Well, that, and that I've just drank a whole can of Iced Coffee after going on for a week without caffeine... it's not really a can though, more of a rectangular plastic/paper combination sachet. Whatever.

Anyway...

If humans were immortal, we would not have any of the technological advancements we enjoy today.


That is my claim.

Quite simple really. Because human lifespans don't last for very long, the generations don't last for very long either. Each generation, although used to the current way of living, still want to surpass the previous one. So it becomes a life-goal to develop things that would make life easier/flashier/better.

Ever since the first stone tools were made, technology has only developed faster and faster. This could be because of the mentality a short lifespan has brought on. A kind of "I have a decade or so to develop this thing so I would still be alive to reap the benefits" sort of thing. That's the motivation; to achieve something before one dies. To ensure that ones offsprings would live a better life.

If humans were immortal, on the other hand... what would the motivation be?

Why would one want to study the traditional way, when one has an eternity ahead? What would be the point of developing new things if the old ones still work? I'm probably being too cynical, but think about it. Why would an immortal invent a cannon if he still has a robust sword?

Again, this could be brought upon by my negative view of immortality. I know certain people who would like to be immortal. I don't really get it. It would be hell on earth. I get bored easily, so living forever would be unbearable. Plus you'd live to see all the ones you love die - one by one, before your very eyes. I could not ever bear to witness that. Torture, I tell ye. You'd be afraid to love again after that.

And yes, you'd live to see great things - great human accomplishments and natural events. But you would also live to see great catastrophes, great human tragedies, plagues, famines, wars, the downfall of mighty civilizations. You'd see great beauty wasted by man's incosiderate actions. You'd see wasted lives, useless deaths, the early deaths of great people...

A short life is sweeter, I say.

Immortality - a fate worse than death.
- Edgar A. Shoaff