# How do I take my mind off my own mortality? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 26, 2005, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480 "2005-09-26T12:11:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/41 "2005-09-27T21:14:03Z")
Ah, crap - that should be everyBODY craps. ---
**Author:** ![lizardling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@lizardling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lizardling)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/42 "2005-09-27T21:18:58Z")
I dunno about the rest of y’all, but I find that the idea of immortality scares the everlovin’ \*crap \* out of me. It sort of surprises me that so many of you are heading in the other direction on this issue. But as someone back in the dim mists of time said, ‘we are all born dying,’ so **Loopydude’s** and \*\*gum’s \*\* solution sounds like a good one to follow. Or if you wanna have your cake and eat it, there’s always the path blazed by Schroedinger’s Cat… ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/43 "2005-09-27T22:07:46Z")
Nothing is permanent…it’s all temporary. Words to live AND die by. Worked for me. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/44 "2005-09-27T22:10:07Z")
Make that “Work **s** for me.” ---
**Author:** ![akira5822](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@akira5822](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akira5822)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2005, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/45 "2005-09-27T22:20:12Z")
I almost died at birth and again at 22 months during a surgury to correct the birth problem… Death missed me twice, he has had chance… Therefore i am going to live forever… \ 😃😉 ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/46 "2005-09-29T12:46:53Z")
> [@csharpmajor](#): > > It’s been 16 hours and the feeling won’t go away. My university preferences are due in by Wednesday, and I would really prefer to do them without this shadow of dread. Any suggestions? OT: Where are you applying to and what major? ---
**Author:** ![FlyingRamenMonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/47 "2005-09-29T13:33:58Z")
Ohh… all of the universities in WA except one. Which isn’t hard, since there’s only 5 to begin with. I’ve got them down as visual art, then fine art, then a bunch of digital media stuff. It’s not that important, really, since I plan to go to community college and only applied in case I changed my mind/to pass the time/in case there is a warp in the space-time continuum and I get turned down from community college. Which is colosally unlikely, but higher arts education here is in such a sorry state that it actually is easier to get into university than community college. I’ll probably have to leave the city eventually if I want to get a job. I don’t wanna leave :’( ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/48 "2005-09-29T14:00:16Z")
> [@csharpmajor](#): > > Ohh… all of the universities in WA except one. Which isn’t hard, since there’s only 5 to begin with. I’ve got them down as visual art, then fine art, then a bunch of digital media stuff. It’s not that important, really, since I plan to go to community college and only applied in case I changed my mind/to pass the time/in case there is a warp in the space-time continuum and I get turned down from community college. Which is colosally unlikely, but higher arts education here is in such a sorry state that it actually is easier to get into university than community college. I’ll probably have to leave the city eventually if I want to get a job. I don’t wanna leave :’( You mean TAFE right (points to location bar -\>). I hope that one University is Curtin Uni, we had to go there once for a competition and man… what a dump. ---
**Author:** ![FlyingRamenMonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/49 "2005-09-29T14:25:43Z")
Yes, TAFE 😃 Unfortunately, the one uni is not Curtin but Notre Dame, the private Christian university cobbled together from abandoned shoreside warehouses, where religion is compulsory and which even the religious avoid unless they get rejected by the real universities. Ahh, good ol’ WA. ---
**Author:** ![Martiju](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@Martiju](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martiju)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/50 "2005-09-29T14:27:25Z")
> [@VCO3](#): > > I’ve already accomplished 98% of my life goals at age 25, and many of them were damned-near unattainable. You must be aiming low… > [@featherlou](#): > > Ah, crap - that should be everyBODY craps. The B-side of that REM hit? ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/51 "2005-09-29T14:35:26Z")
Go volunteer in a local hospital. Most pediatric hospitals have “Aunty” programs (uncley just doesn’t sound as good) or something similar. You’re assigned a baby whose family can’t be there every day. You then get to rock, and sometimes feed the baby for how ever long you’re able to stay. There’s nothing like a brand new life, to reaffirm your own. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/52 "2005-09-29T14:52:57Z")
> [@picunurse](#): > > Go volunteer in a local hospital. Most pediatric hospitals have “Aunty” programs (uncley just doesn’t sound as good) or something similar. You’re assigned a baby whose family can’t be there every day. You then get to rock, and sometimes feed the baby for how ever long you’re able to stay. There’s nothing like a brand new life, to reaffirm your own. Or…you could go do something that doesn’t suck. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/53 "2005-09-29T15:12:24Z")
> [@Martiju](#): > > \ > The B-side of that REM hit? Yes. EVry BUDdy crAAaaaaps… Thanks for putting that crappy song in my head. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![uglybeech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/82dd89/32.png) [@uglybeech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uglybeech)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/54 "2005-09-30T05:17:01Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > Well, I don’t know about _you_ guys, but _I_ sure feel better! 😃 I was thinking about going into motivational speaking. Whaddya think? > [@featherlou](#): > > Seriously, **csharp** , one of the things that helps me when I get a case of the mortals is the phrase, “There is no absolute certainty.” Nobody knows. You never will know. Some stuff, you just have to put back on the shelf without figuring it out. Have to disagree - death and taxes being the only certainties, you definitely do know. It’s about the only thing you can predict for sure. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/55 "2005-09-30T08:51:56Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Or…you could go do something that doesn’t suck. Your opinion. Are you always so mean-spirited, or is there no dog around to kick? :wally ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/56 "2005-09-30T12:46:50Z")
> [@picunurse](#): > > Your opinion. Are you always so mean-spirited, or is there no dog around to kick? :wally Hey I just suggested not volunteering to take care of some babies. I didn’t suggest eating them. Get over yourself. :eek: =8 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/57 "2005-09-30T13:19:07Z")
> [@picunurse](#): > > Go volunteer in a local hospital. Most pediatric hospitals have “Aunty” programs (uncley just doesn’t sound as good) or something similar. You’re assigned a baby whose family can’t be there every day. You then get to rock, and sometimes feed the baby for how ever long you’re able to stay. There’s nothing like a brand new life, to reaffirm your own. I thought it was a good idea. (Not for me, personally, but it might be someone’s cup of tea.) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/58 "2005-09-30T15:53:34Z")
I dunno, I thought **msmith’s** response was funny. Your mileage may vary and all that. **uglybeech** , definitely go into motivational speaking. There are way too many people in the world. 😃 As for the absolute certainty, I was referring to what comes after death, not death itself. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/59 "2005-09-30T16:07:09Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > You think you are going to die now! Wait until you go to college and wake up from a bad night of drinking! Yeah, and then you feel like death would be an improvement, too. ---
**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480/60 "2005-09-30T18:26:32Z")
For a long time I was afraid I would die. Then I was afraid I wouldn’t. Death is the end of pain. It can be viewed as a gift, under the right circumstances. But even old people that have led full, rich lives, and are in pain, will cling to life, right up to the end. Because there is always that uncertainty about what comes next. Heaven? Hell? Oblivion? Something better? Something worse? Only one way to know for sure. 😉 Satch [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-take-my-mind-off-my-own-mortality/323480.md?page=2)