What's the Purpose of Mortality?

The more we learn about the universe, the more we begin to see the logic behind it. Systems are integrated, deliberate, and self perpetuating. They may not be perfect, but they make sense. Whether it be the cumulative result of billions of years of physics applied to matter or the expression of the programming of some very capable engineers, it makes sense.

So why would a system with the capability to create matter based vehicles in which consciousness can reside build in mortality? Surely one could create a vehicle that never has to die. Even we mere humans, given enough time, will be capable of replacing every organ, every cell of our bodies with much more durable, replaceable parts. It stands to reason that mortality must have some function, some advantage.

I believe that advantage is a sense of urgency. Even if your self survives past the death of the body, it can't take the memory cells with it. It may come back and be able to access the conclusions we've all reached, but it wont remember the process. It wont remember the details. It wont remember what it may have been working on or towards. All of that will have to be re-learned. It would be like losing all the files on your computer, but retaining the operating system and internet access.

If you know you'll be around forever, you're in no hurry to resolve anything. Everything can wait. In fact, it's a disincentive to progress. If you enjoy the process you'll want to prolong it. If you know you've got a hard deadline, you're more likely to expedite the process.

This could be a valuable piece of insight if humans ever are able to create a self aware computer or processor. For maximum efficiency, we'll want to build in its demise and make it aware of that too. Make the most of your conscious time, enjoy each moment now, for if we re-boot you, you wont remember any of it.

Diary of a Dead Man

Whether you believe in the possibility of life after death or not, I believe one thing is certain. If the self is somehow able to continue on after the body has passed, it doesn't take memory with it. Memory is stored in a physical entity: the human brain. We know the brain doesn't get up and leave the body upon death. Whatever the self is, it is not memory. The self may indeed change, for better or for worse, during its time in the human vehicle, but it does not remember the details.

Don't grieve for me. I had a good run. I saw it all. I had but one perspective: my own. Therefore the world began when I began, and for the me that was, it ended when I ended. I do not look back with resentment, regret, bitterness toward anyone or anything, for I do not look back. I do not watch over and judge anyone. I no longer know you.

For those who remain, my parting piece of advice: Please remember what was good about me, that which you liked, that which you can use to help better yourself. Everything else was irrelevant.