Physical immortality
Do not try to live forever. You will not succeed. Bernard Shaw
The average man, who does not know what to do with his life, wants another one which will last forever.
Anatole France
The thought about immortality appeared in people’s minds long time ago –
many physicians, scientists, magicians and alchemists tried to create an
elixir of life. The truth is that from time to time they created something
resembling the elixir of life. At least outwardly. But sometimes taking this
elixir brought to the real death – in this way the Chinese emperor
Shuan-dzun (VIII century) died, after he took an erroneous elixir of life.
During the age of Renaissance in such way died old people while they were
being given a blood transfusion from young men (in that time medicine hasn’t
known yet about blood groups).
In manuscripts we can find many examples when people managed to prolong
their lives. Firstly they are the biblical prophets. Greek priest and poet
Epimenid managed to prolong his life up to 300 years. Pliny the Elder tells
us about a man from Illyria who died when he was 500 years old. The life of
a Chinese Li-Zuniun (1680-1933) was 254 years long and he
outlived his 23 wives. Six year before his death was photographed his famous
portrait.
Li Ching-Yuen 1927 (247 years old)
Before his death he told friends that "I have done all I have to do in this
world. I will now go home".
In Russia the most famous long-liver was considered Shirali Muslimov
from an azerbaijanian village Barvazu, who lived 168 years – since
1805 till 1973. At the age of 136 he married and had a daughter.
In any event, according to gerontologists, life expectancy is 120 years, and
Guinness Book of Records says that there is no real event of celebrating a
121-st birthday.
As of today the oldest living person in the world belong to American supercentenarian Gertrude Baines
(born 1894). She is 115 years old.
The problem of longevity (and, in perspective, immortality) was studied and
is being studied now by institutes rather successfully. Considering the
results of these researches and changing the lifestyle, a person can prolong
their life. But the 5, 10, 20 years prolongation of life only postpones the
moment of death, and the question about the possibility of physical
immortality remains still open.
But I don’t understand the only thing, what for we need it? The shorter way
is to get rid of the fear of death and the meeting with death will become a
bit more important than the meeting with your lover. Some people consciously
rejected the gift of immortality. Try and remember Solomon who refused to
drink the elixir of immortality because he didn’t want to see the death of
his near relations. He just knew.
|
Suicide
