THE PRADOX OF IMMORTALITY

We can expect to live twice as long as people did in 1800’s. Walk the rows of an old cemetery and
count. The number of births and deaths carved on each tombstone is silent testimony to the
shortning of previous lives. You are lucky to be alive today and never in the past. But in a hundred
years what will all those who walk around the cemeteries that contain our remains think of us as
they pity our 80-year lifespan ? Will they live long enough to travel between distant planets and
stars?

Suppose we could live forever. It is better to be alive than dead, although most of the time we
take being alive for granted. The question is: if you could live forever, would you? Eternal life
means you have all the time in the world to do what you want. You could even rebel against a
generation of starships and return home to Earth if you wanted to. It seems a tempting thought,
but perhaps knowing about death creates the focus we bring to living. If you're going to live
forever, why are you in a hurry? Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? There is
perhaps no greater motivating force than knowing that you will live forever. If that's true,
knowing your mortality can also be a power in itself,the desire to reach out and the need to
express love and afection now, not later. Mathematically, if death gives meaning to life, then
living forever means living without any meaning. For these reasons, death can be more important
to our state of mind than we admit.

If you brought your loved one a bouquet of colorful flowers and those flowers were made of
plastic or even silk, they would certainly be less appreciated than if they were true flowers that
live forever. We look for the growing beauty of each thing as they unfold one by one in the light
of the day.We are absorbed by their irresistible aromas. We get them the proper care and nutrition
they need. We embrace their nature as the stems weaken and can no longer bear the weight of
faded petals. Florists continue to work because the death of the flowers, usually within a week of
receiving them, gives them meaning for your loved one. Compare this to eternal flowers that need
no maintenance, never die, never smell, but remain just as beautiful a week, a month, a year from
now.
Not everyone dies of old age. Contrary to the collective illusion that Mother Nature is a nurturing
and caring being who nurtures and protects all her life forms, the Earth is instead a giant killing
machine. In addition to all the climatic and geological forces that could cause your death, such as
droughts, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes, there is no end to
the creatures that want to suck your blood and inject you with poison, infecting your physiology
or simply eating you. The universe wants to kill you too. At least one of the six extinction episodes
in Earth's light timeline , almost completely ended life on Earth.

Modern humans are part of Mother Nature's wrath. Our charge on pristine ecosystems is killing
species even at rates that occur naturally. Geologists named a period to recognize the reversal of
the biosphere of our Earth from the dawn of agriculture 11,700 years ago to the present. They call
it the holoepic. 99.9% of all species that once lived on Earth are extinct. Who knows what wonders
of biodiversity have died from the world for lack of power or desire to preserve?

In contemplating the paradox of immortality, we are confronted with profound questions about
the nature of existence and the meaning we derive from our finite lives. Through the lens of
mortality, we find purpose, urgency, and the beauty of fleeting moments. While the allure of
eternal life may tempt us with endless possibilities, it is the very finiteness of our existence that
imbues our lives with significance. Just as flowers wither and dogs age, our mortality shapes the
essence of our experiences, reminding us to cherish each passing moment. In acknowledging the
delicate balance between life and death, we find a deeper appreciation for the richness of our
humanity and the interconnectedness of all living beings.

“In crafting this piece, I aimed to provoke contemplation on the profound themes of
mortality and the meaning of life. Through vivid imagery and poignant reflections, I
sought to evoke a sense of appreciation for the fleeting beauty of existence. I invite
readers to join me in exploring these concepts and to share their thoughts and
reflections. Your support means the world to us, so please remember to like, share, and
support our website and RCC Press Club. Thank you for engaging with this work.”

~ GITESH ROY SINGH MOHUNDIN