# The date of your death - would you want to know? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 21, 2000, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347 "2000-07-21T14:43:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2000, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/1 "2000-07-21T14:43:30Z")
Say there was a way for you to find out the date of your death. Would you want to know? ---
**Author:** ![Mullinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2000, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/2 "2000-07-21T14:51:13Z")
It would certainly make it interesting. Would I plan my life to do things I have always wanted to do, or would I throw morals out the window and do whatever in the world I pleased? I would say no though. Life seems to go along pretty well regardless of the spectre of death that always kind of lurks in the corner. If I knew when, then everything else in my life would be thrown into a quandry. This is one of those times when I like too little information. ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2000, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/3 "2000-07-21T14:53:07Z")
Nah, that would just make me have to plan better, and I have a tendency to procrastinate. I’d rather not know when I’m gonna die so it’ll have an element of surprise to it. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2000, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/4 "2000-07-21T15:00:48Z")
My first instinct is to say yes. I’d love to know so I could plan whether I need to keep contributing to my 401-K or could blow the money in one big party. On the other hand, it would be sitting there, like having an elephant in your livingroom that no one talks about. I think I’d rather know just the year, but not the exact date. StG ---
**Author:** ![Satan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Satan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satan)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2000, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/5 "2000-07-21T16:02:14Z")
Nope. I mean, what if it’s tomorrow? _shudder_ * * * Yer pal, Satan _I HAVE BEEN SMOKE-FREE FOR: Three months, one week, five days, 14 hours, 2 minutes and 25 seconds. 4143 cigarettes not smoked, saving $517.92. Life saved: 2 weeks, 9 hours, 15 minutes._ ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2000, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/6 "2000-07-21T16:22:38Z")
I think I’m gonna send this to IMHO, where it’ll enjoy a long and happy life. ---
**Author:** ![DougC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2000, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/7 "2000-07-21T22:38:51Z")
- - - I’m not sure; is she big-scary-sexy like Chyna, or just big-scary like Nurse Ratchet? - MC ---
**Author:** ![MadPoet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@MadPoet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPoet)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2000, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/8 "2000-07-21T22:49:04Z")
Well… If I knew it couldn’t be changed under any circumstances… that would make the intervening time far more interesting. Or not, I can just see jumping off a tall building knowing I’ll survive, only to spend 60 years on life support. ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/9 "2000-07-22T03:41:28Z")
Yeah, I think I’d like to know. I’d enroll in college again and get another student loan. “Collect _this_ motherfucker!” ---
**Author:** ![dragonlady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@dragonlady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dragonlady)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/10 "2000-07-22T05:12:06Z")
I think I would. I lost my SO without warning, no goodbyes. If not for that, I think my answer would be different. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/11 "2000-07-22T06:02:19Z")
I’m with dragonlady. I just recently lost my very best friend and I think it would have been better to know. Maybe not, but I would have gotten to tell her things that I only wish I could have now. Anyway, I’m going to die on September 18, 2047. According to Tarot anyway. ---
**Author:** ![MysterEcks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@MysterEcks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysterEcks)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/12 "2000-07-22T08:25:18Z")
I’ll say yes. There are things I want to do, places I want to go, sights I want to see…all on my “someday” list. I’d like to know how long I have to get them in. Or…if I’m gonna croak next month, I wanna know that, too. Then I will do my best to extract the maximum enjoyment out of the few weeks left. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/13 "2000-07-22T08:32:07Z")
I wouldn’t want to know. I’m a procrastinator by nature. When deadlines loom, I’m hustling like hell to get things done. If I knew when the Ultimate Deadline was, I’d still be trying to cram every last thing in under the wire, which would probably keep me from enjoying them to their fullest. I usually think, “No biggie…I can always do it later.” With the Deadline To Beat All Deadlines, there is no later, and I don’t think I’d like that. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/14 "2000-07-22T12:52:26Z")
The anniversary date of JFK Jr’s death was the same anniversary of my friend, Larry’s, death. He died of Hodgkins Disease at the ripe old age of 37. Larry, of course, knew for a whole year that he was going to die soon, and I was amazed and humbled by his optimism and general good cheer. Of course, then I see JFK and how he died still handsome and still with all his hair, and compare him to Larry, who not only was robbed of his life but had to go through these really crappy medical procedures in an attempt to save him…and I just think that I’d rather go the way of JFK – quickly, with no knowledge prior to hitting the water. Basically I’m a spineless wimp. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/15 "2000-07-22T13:09:28Z")
I worked with a guy who was drenched by Agent Orange in Vietnam. He died from several cancers, knowing to within three months his time of death. He faced his death with a courage and serenity I doubt I could muster. If I could die with the grace he exhibited, I **think** I wouldn’t mind knowing the date beforehand. But since I fear death a lot, I am probably better off not knowing. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/16 "2000-07-22T13:41:58Z")
IF you knew, could you change it? If JFK Jr. had known the date, maybe he would have avoided flying that night. If Princess Diana had known, she could have avoided cars. Even if you knew you would die of a heart attack, you could check into the hospital complaining of chest pains. If you did know it, could you get your NEW date of death and change that? Gee, under those circumstances, it could be fun. ---
**Author:** ![Lazarus7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/67e7ee/32.png) [@Lazarus7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lazarus7)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/17 "2000-07-22T20:34:29Z")
Or … you could just be like me! I have a total, absolute belief that within my ‘normal’ lifespan, medical science and those lovely ladies, the fates, will conspire together to ensure that I live forever!! ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2000, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-date-of-your-death-would-you-want-to-know/26347/18 "2000-07-22T21:16:07Z")
Or somebody might bring you back **Lazarus7**