I found this post on reddit uncomfortable, and I'm not sure why.<p>It's not because of death with dignity -- I'm a big fan. It's not because of not wanting to face my own mortality -- I know death awaits us all, and for me or some others it may come very soon indeed. Who knows when we will die?<p>But something about it just didn't ring true as something I would want to make happen over and over again. I think perhaps it is the forum and mechanics involved here. Would I want a site where people posted about their deaths and then others voted that post up or down? Then each comment was accordingly ranked? I don't think so.<p>Your life isn't the same as a news article or a blog entry, and it shouldn't be treated as such. Perhaps there is a site for broadcasting your last words to the world at large, and it sounds like something I would want to visit and participate in, but reddit ain't it.
His best quotes:<p>On life:<p><i>Nothing we have is worth hurting anyone else for. It's all fleeting, people. Stop seeing race, color, sex, religion, etc... They're all just people, and if you try to love them you won't lose anything.</i><p>On suicide (of an otherwise healthy person):<p><i>It's not living that's failed him, it's life. We can always change our life as long as were living.</i><p>On regret:<p><i>Yes, one. I bought my high school sweetheart an engagement ring and never gave it to her. Life happened, meaning I was dumb. I went in the military after a dumb fight and... yeah just one.</i><p>On fear:<p><i>What long term risk is there in saying hello? I can't find any. Worst case is you get some possessive asshole that thinks your hitting on his sister, and you get a black eye. Total pain and shame lasts maybe a month. Meeting the right girl though lasts forever. So you tell me, would you trade a month of shame for a life of happiness?</i>
"Why do ordinary thoughts gain such credibility just because their source is dying?"<p>I feel a bit guilty for thinking like this while reading the thread. Maybe a raw vision of mortality makes us emotional, less cynical, and we're more receptive as a result. Maybe we look to last words as an encapsulation of a person's life philosophy, as if they became wiser in the knowledge of imminent death. Or maybe an overly detached analysis is just another reaction to a reminder that we're going to die.
Someone on HN once suggested I do an AMAA on Reddit. I didn't get it. This post makes me want to do one.<p>I wish Lucidending well. My impetus has nothing to do with "rebutting" the idea of right to die. I got well in part because I stopped trying to live. At one time, my whole goal was to just hurt less. Suicide would have been gladly welcomed, so I understand why one would do that. I just think it's sad that this is what conventional medicine has to offer.<p>Of course, I completely suck at starting conversations and can't think of a Reddit handle to use.:-/ So this may never fly.
For some reason I am reminded for Steve Jobs' Stanford graduation speech when he says "you will die one day." In the video, it seems to roll off the audience as a cliche. But, it seems to have tempered much of his career with fearlessness, and the willingness to take risks.<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA</a>
> 12,588 up votes 10,018 down votes<p>That's a fascinating look at peoples' reactions to this. A reminder of mortality split right down the middle.
What does this have to do with startups? If you're an entrepreneur there are times you wonder how you can get through the tough times. This post helps put that into perspective.<p>Most profound thoughts I think I've ever read on the interwebs. Hard for me not to get emotional reading through them.
I really enjoy HN commentary about Reddit. It's like an audit--a smaller, more focused group offering insight about all the stuff that goes on in the bigger group.
I felt compelled to collect his responses.<p><a href="http://blog.dustingetz.com/51-hours-left-to-live" rel="nofollow">http://blog.dustingetz.com/51-hours-left-to-live</a>
That thread provoked two distinct reactions in me. One was I shouldn't spend more the necessary at my desk working, when there's is an entire world out there to live and experience because you never know when the day will come. The other is I want to really accomplish what I'm working hard for, so that I could feel like I succeed in my goals.
I was going to write on this yesterday but decided not to at the last minute for whatever reason. At that time there were 4 comments on this post. Between then and now there have been an additional 104.
Whether you approve of the post or not, I think we can all agree that there is value to be found in the level of response it has received. Maybe the post is appropriate, maybe its not. But its gotten people talking about something we often try to ignore and in that sense I cant help but appreciate it.
I feel saddened but fortunate this person shared their last days on Earth with a bunch of us strangers. I've done a lot of reflecting on what was said & discussing it with my family, one of whom (my mother) having terminal cancer herself. We faced a lot of uncomfortable issues honestly after we had read the thread.<p>I avoid Reddit these days, but this is gold. I'm indebted to this man/woman for their effect on my life. This person will leave strong echoes in the world after their passing.
He just created a second thread within the last 10 minutes:<p><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/fyqpi/26_hours_left_to_live/" rel="nofollow">http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/fyqpi/26_hours_left_to...</a>
just wanted to say 'thank you' for submitting this.<p>the amount of love in the comments is overwhelming. (and it might be a naive and inappropriate thing to say but it's odd that it takes 'facing death' in order to gather that amount of love on the webs. or wherever.)
Isn't it a bit odd that everyone takes this at face value? Doesn't it seem like a bit of a fantastic story to appear on Reddit on Saturday? I'm suspicious that people are having their emotions toyed with for someone's entertainment.
Okey this is ridiculous!!!! First the guy who patches a software with Morse code and then this guy who would rather have a AMA with strange people before he dies. News flash people, there are actual human beings around you who you should talk to rather than computers or an anonymous crowd you do not know.