Download Guthrie answers a question that I asked recently in Interstellar Crossings. When a mind is downloaded before an interstellar crossing, the body is asleep and does not wake up. But that is the suicide option. Some people believe that suicide is a grave sin and some of us at least find it distasteful. But there are other options: either remain alive and awake and accept the approach of a sudden death in the planetary collision or pass into cold sleep shortly before the collision. In the latter case, you will, of course, die - that is inevitable - but you will not have taken your own life. To some of us, that makes a difference.
Kaor, Paul!
ReplyDeleteEven better evacuate residents of Demeter would leave in their bodies, to live on in O'Neill habitats.
Ad astra! Sean
Annoying, my comment above was garbled. I mean to say: "Even better, evacuate the residents of Demeter, to continue living in their bodies on O'Neill habitats."
ReplyDeleteAd astra! Sean
I am maybe not posting any more this evening but am thinking about future posts.
ReplyDeleteIf you go to sleep and "wake up" in a new body, there's continuity of consciousness, so you're still alive, as I see it.
ReplyDeleteKaor, Mr. Stirling!
ReplyDeleteI do understand that, but it won't be much consolation for the "originals" still in their bodies and left behind.
Ad astra! Sean