Would You Do This?

[OneEyedDiva]

According to Elon Musk human brains could eventually be downloaded into robots thereby giving us the ability to live forever (literally ...virtually). He is not the first person to come up with this idea. A few years ago, I read that scientists are working on this concept. There's even a show on Amazon Prime about this concept called Upload.
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/08/elo...tually-download-their-brains-into-robots.html
Other methods humans may someday become "immortal".
https://nypost.com/2018/01/06/scientists-could-one-day-make-humans-immortal/
I know something similar was discussed here before, but I can't find the thread. Would you do this to extend your life? I wouldn't. The way the world is going these days, I almost hate to see what the future holds (though I'm usually hopeful).

 

[hollydolly]

So essentially, we'd live forever without physical pain, but never ever get released from emotional pain ?... no thanks, not for me...

 

[Lavinia]

We perceive so much with our senses....the scent of flowers, birdsong, the touch of so many textures. I presume robots are just machines without human senses?
No, that doesn't appeal to me because I have a strong appreciation of nature, but I can see how it would suit someone more academic.

 

[horseless carriage]

Would my appendage go rusty after I had peed?

 

[Ruthanne]

We perceive so much with our senses....the scent of flowers, birdsong, the touch of so many textures. I presume robots are just machines without human senses?
No, that doesn't appeal to me because I have a strong appreciation of nature, but I can see how it would suit someone more academic.

Academic people also have senses and probably would relate to you except for singling them out.

 

[Alligatorob]

What the hell, why not? I assume we'd have an off switch.

However if we do this and keep on reproducing things could get real crowded.

 

[Fyrefox]

I’m in, as long as I can be downloaded into a robo-vulpine rather than a humanoid body!

 

[Mr. Ed]

Nothing would be more satisfying than to pull the plug and be done with it all. I appreciate life in all of its glory, but why do we have such negative views on death and dying? All during our lifetime, we are conditioned to accept and embrace our lives as something special and to be thankful for. Thankful to whom? We came into being because or parents made babies together that resulted in yours and my birth. If so inclined, perhaps thank our parents for engaging in acts of reproduction. Personally, I enjoy being engaged with my wife and do not find it necessary for my daughters to thank me.

Getting back to the fear and misconception of death. Perhaps people who want to live beyond the natural course of their life are shallow minded who can only see what is directly before them? To think otherwise is an act of faith and people don't believe in faith? You can have faith without religious affiliation with the belief of dying enters a new state of being that cannot be understood or explained in our present state of understanding.

What's the big deal about dying? To sum it up in a word; "The big deal about dying is ignorance"

 

[timoc]

No pain!! No pain!! What would we have to moan about, or talk about, would we have our mouths stitched up too, meaning ice cream would no longer be shovelled down our tonsils. They can stick their science up their jacksies.

 

[Pappy]

Reminds me too much of Alice in Wonderland. We would need an Alice to keep us oiled. No thanks…I’m looking forward to whatever is to come.

 

[Aunt Bea]

I would prefer a memory backup using my own brain and body that would help manage dementia until my body finally gave out.

The idea sounds like a sophisticated version of Disney's animatronics.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

Yeah, why not. If I'm dead, I'm not doing anything anyway. I can just see my robot driving up to McDonalds, and instead of a 9 volt meal, I supersize to a 18 volt one. But then, Microsoft might want to stop updating me. Come on, everybody is running on Brain 21, and I'm an old version Brain 18., Ya know, I'd have to have a job, too. OMG!!! I probably wind up as an Iphone.

 

[Geezer Garage]

I really doubt it's something we will have to worry about.

 

[raybar]

We certainly won't have to worry about this any time soon, if ever.

I do not fear death, although I would like to avoid any "it's not death, it's the dying" sort of scenario toward the end. But if such technology were developed and proven successful on volunteer test subjects (of which I would not be one), I might consider it.

 

[Geezerette]

HHmmm, I think I already have some sort of strange electronic thing going on in my head. An automatic shut off switch whenever Elon Musk makes pronouncements.

 

[Sassycakes]

No Way!

 

[feywon]

No i wouldn't, because my consciousness will continue long after this body. Why would anyone want to housed here 'forever'?

There is an interesting (if dark and kind of depressing) movie about this called 'Transcendence'. Johnny Depp in it, but as i recall small role physically as he plays a guy who does do this. i might watch it again soon it's been a while.

 

[ohioboy]

Obviously Mr. Muskrat never read Frankenstein!

 

[chic]

I am afraid of death and of dying too but not so much that I would want to remain here. It's no longer a paradise or anything even close and I dread the world these technocrats are trying to talk us into.

 

[Jeni]

Watched a couple episodes of upload ... looked bleak not a real life.

 

[RadishRose]

So essentially, we'd live forever without physical pain, but never ever get released from emotional pain ?... no thanks, not for me...

By that time, they'll probably have a way to erase emotional pain, too.

 

[Pecos]

According to Elon Musk human brains could eventually be downloaded into robots thereby giving us the ability to live forever (literally ...virtually). He is not the first person to come up with this idea. A few years ago, I read that scientists are working on this concept. There's even a show on Amazon Prime about this concept called Upload.
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/08/elo...tually-download-their-brains-into-robots.html
Other methods humans may someday become "immortal".
https://nypost.com/2018/01/06/scientists-could-one-day-make-humans-immortal/
I know something similar was discussed here before, but I can't find the thread. Would you do this to extend your life? I wouldn't. The way the world is going these days, I almost hate to see what the future holds (though I'm usually hopeful).

No, I think I will take a pass on this.

 

[feywon]

I am afraid of death and of dying too but not so much that I would want to remain here. It's no longer a paradise or anything even close and I dread the world these technocrats are trying to talk us into.

Death does not scare me, tho hoping the process of dying won't be too painful.
The sad part is there are benefits technology provides, but too many people forget that technologies are just fancier 'tools'. They are things, not beings like humans and other animals.

But i'm not sure we'll have to live the world they envision. We may leave before the big shifts come but most have no idea how fragile all our fancy 'tools' (toys) are, and most are way too reliant on them. i have to admit i use them too, but i haven't forgotten how to do anything the old fashioned way.

 

[feywon]

By that time, they'll probably have a way to erase emotional pain, too.

See, i'm not so sure i'd take them up on that either. Erasing is different than coping. While i don't like the idea of anyone suffering rest of their life due to emotional pain. Not so sure i'd want to erase mine. i learned a lot from those 'injuries', they put my natural empathy and compassion into high gear, which meant i could let go (forgive) of a lot 'injuries' some would hold onto because i knew the person's words/acts grew out of their own pain (which is never an excuse for hurting others, but it can explain--answer the 'why?').

And there could be a dark side to memory erasure. There is a drug Versed (midazolam), that basically blocks memory for it's duration in body--while leaving you able to follow some simple instructions. (i've had pre-colonoscopy, and during one surgery.) i have no doubt that various governments, including American, have been seeking something like that would allow more complex behaviors to be forgotten/ erased, like say assassinations? or contaminating civilian resources like water, food pre-invasion? Basically if you don't remember doing something--it never happened--for you--so no emotional baggage of any kind from it-- including guilt, remorse.

 

[hollydolly]

See, i'm not so sure i'd take them up on that either. Erasing is different than coping. While i don't like the idea of anyone suffering rest of their life due to emotional pain. Not so sure i'd want to erase mine. i learned a lot from those 'injuries', they put my natural empathy and compassion into high gear, which meant i could let go (forgive) of a lot 'injuries' some would hold onto because i knew the person's words/acts grew out of their own pain (which is never an excuse for hurting others, but it can explain--answer the 'why?').

And there could be a dark side to memory erasure. There is a drug Versed (midazolam), that basically blocks memory for it's duration in body--while leaving you able to follow some simple instructions. (i've had pre-colonoscopy, and during one surgery.) i have no doubt that various governments, including American, have been seeking something like that would allow more complex behaviors to be forgotten/ erased, like say assassinations? or contaminating civilian resources like water, food pre-invasion? Basically if you don't remember doing something--it never happened--for you--so no emotional baggage of any kind from it. including guilt, remorse.

you say that tho'.. but bear in mind, if you were to go on having your own head and brain, you wouldn't just have the memories good and bad from previous times, you'd continue to have new ones for eternity...