Immortality? A question for you.

A couple of years ago I read about people's memories being transferred to AI to preserve that person's essence forever. Although what's below is a bit different than what I had read in the article I read years ago, it also has a similar concept.

"Digital immortality​

Loss is one of the most difficult human experiences to go through, and coping with it has only become more complex in a digital age of preservation; fragments of people forever crystalised in Whatsapp chats, Instagram images, final Tweets and Facebook’s memories feature.

For some, being able to re-visit the online archives of those they have lost is comforting."
AI afterlife: 'Grief tech' is bringing loved ones back from the dead
 

It's really a deep question which necessitates a rather complex answer, as it could take different paths.

If biotechnology is the path, then it may mean growing new organs and replacing them as needed (And they will inevitably be needed). However, this would mean multiple surgeries and possible scars everywhere, unless our tissues can be regenerated as well. Even so, sooner or later an organ would fail without warning, and you wouldn't get the transplant in time. In addition, one may get tired of the surgeries and recovery.

It's also theoretically possible that nanobots could be constantly circulating in our blood and repair any damage that needs it. As to who or what repairs the nanobots when they run amok or need repairs, or even how to find the wayward soldier is anyone's guess. It's also very possible your immune system won't roll out the welcome mat for them, which would mean taking immunosuppressive drugs forever, and who wants an immune system that's always on vacation.

Another possibility is the (again theoretical) download of our consciousness into an android body, which frankly my dear, is poppycock in my opinion. We have around 100 billion neurons in our brain (Although we've all met a few where you could leave off the billion part), and each neuron synapse has connections numbering in the thousands, which translates to an astronomical number in the vicinity of 100 trillion connections (Not to mention that they are constantly in flux with each day). So it seems to me this is a pipe dream.

Nevertheless, even if it were possible, it begs the question: "Would it still be you?" There is an age old philosophical thought puzzle in reference to Theseus's ship. The gist of it is that if you take an old ship, and replace the old rotting boards one by one until they are all new, is it still the same ship, or a different one. So, to extract the general essence of that argument, if you could take all your consciousness and put it into a different body, would it still be you?

Imagine putting you consciousness into a different body. Would it feel like you anymore? We seldom think about it, but our body and mind are as intimately connected (They are one), so much so, that even ones who have suffered an amputation still feel like it's there.

There is also the problem of losing the very experiences that comprise our humanity and happiness. Living in an android body means never enjoying a good meal, or sipping a cocktail in a hot tub, or kissing, or making love. That, and so much more would fall by the wayside in exchange for immortality. I'm not sure that would be a good trade-off.

All-in-all, I think becoming immortal (Which, in some fashion, may happen), will bring about a change in our humanity that will be a big price to pay. Our connection to nature will change if we are in an android body (No need to breathe in fresh air, or even care about air pollution). There is also something about having a limited life span that makes life precious. If you could live forever, then life isn't sacred anymore.

There is much more to consider, such as, if you even lived to 150, than means probably working for 80 years just to have enough soc sec and investments to support you for another 50 years. Do you really want to work for 80 years? Perhaps we will live in a post-capitalistic society, and from what I know of humans, getting them to agree to that idealistic way of life will be a fool's errand.

Anyway, enough of my brain wanderings. I do think life spans will increase, and I do think AI will augment society, and I think competing with augmented humans will bring about a structural earthquake in society, but how it will shake out is anyone's guess.
 
Right now there is technology that will transfer the consciousness of a dying person into an AI, essentially preserving that person forever. As far as our physical bodies surviving for hundreds of years, I don't know if that will ever be possible. If it were, consider how overcrowded the world would be if everyone chose to live that long. But as @Chet pointed out, the advances would likely only be available to the rich. I wouldn't want to live so long, especially with the deterioration of society we're seeing now. I couldn't find the first article I read about "digital immortality" which was fascinating, but here's a video about the concept. https://www.wsj.com/articles/could-ai-keep-people-alive-after-death-11625317200
 
chic said:
Do you think humans will ever become immortal through enhancements from technology? I do think so. Maybe people will live to be several hundred years old or just last forever. Vaccines will be perfected to prevent disease and if our bodies and minds don't wear out anything is possible. What do you think about this? Do you see it as a possibility for the future of human kind? What's your take on this.
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Perhaps in a world run by AI we may find immortality in the download of our intellect into an electronic brain. Genetic manipulation may extend our lifetime, but there is always the danger of war or fatal accident. In any event I doubt any of us will be around to partake of immortality. (-8
 
There are already “popsicle people” cryogenically frozen in the hopes that science will eventually find a cure for whatever ails them, and caused their temporary (?) demise. I’m not sure that being revived in the distant future would be a great thing for those people, or that they would welcome being a living historical artifact out of their time in a world they can no longer recognize.

I think that human life can be further extended, but unless youthful vigor can be extended along with it, what is the point? Death is as much of the life cycle as birth, and it beats a marginal, enfeebled existence.

Very possibly the downloading of human consciousness and individuality into an AI or cybernetic form will become a common reality, and likenesses or approximations of ourselves will lumber about. Then I could be like Foxy in Five Nights at Freddy’s, unnatural but still making the scene! 🙀

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OneEyedDiva said:
Right now there is technology that will transfer the consciousness of a dying person into an AI, essentially preserving that person forever. As far as our physical bodies surviving for hundreds of years, I don't know if that will ever be possible. If it were, consider how overcrowded the world would be if everyone chose to live that long. But as @Chet pointed out, the advances would likely only be available to the rich. I wouldn't want to live so long, especially with the deterioration of society we're seeing now. I couldn't find the first article I read about "digital immortality" which was fascinating, but here's a video about the concept. https://www.wsj.com/articles/could-ai-keep-people-alive-after-death-11625317200
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Wow, I can't find that information anywhere in a search. If you can locate the article, I would love to read it. The best I can find is that some think it is theoretically possible. If you find the article, please post it. That would be fascinating. Here is the latest I can find on the subject dated Feb 26, 2024. Here's the link.
Could We One Day Upload Our Minds to a Computer?
 
Not in this world, which will eventually end, but many will live forever in the next. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23
 

Humans Are on Track to Achieve Immortality in 7 Years, Futurist Says​

  • Futurist Ray Kurzweil is still making waves years after his initial singularity claims as artificial intelligence continues to progress.
  • With singularity milestones coming, Kurzweil believes immortality is achievable by 2030.
  • Kurzweil’s predictions are met with a healthy dose of skepticism.
A new video from the YouTube channel Adagio revisits futurist Ray Kurzweil’s ideas about how for humans, both singularity and immortality are shockingly imminent—as in, potentially just seven years away.

Both concepts may take a stretch of reality to attain, but Kurzweil and his supporters are quite limber. The idea of singularity is the moment AI exceeds beyond human control and rapidly transforms society. Predicting this timing is tricky, to say the least.

But Kurzweil says one crucial step on the way to a potential 2045 singularity is the concept of immortality, possibly reached as soon as 2030. And the rapid rise of artificial intelligence is what will make it happen. Kurzweil believes that our technological and medical progress will grow to the point that robotics—he dubs them “nanobots”—will work to repair our bodies at the cellular level, as reported by Lifeboat, turning disease and aging around thanks to the continual work of robotic know-how. And then, voilà: immortality.

Humans Are on Track to Achieve Immortality in 7 Years, Futurist Says

 
I remember reading several times that the human body was made to last 120 years. Working in nursing homes since 1996, I've known some residents that lived to be well over 100 years old. A lady named Rachel, who lived to be 104, lived in 3 different centuries. She was born around November 1900 (last year of the 19th Century). She lived through all 100 years of the 20th Century, and was still alive through the first 4 years of the 21st Century. Another lady Tillie, lived to be 108 years old. Although the body was still going, her mind was almost gone. So even if you can live that long, you probably wouldn't enjoy life much, since your mind will have deteriorated too much.
 
I don’t want to extend my living capacity beyond the time I die. I never wanted to be here in the first place and to extend life beyond my natural life term would be a walk in the park on a rainy day.
 
No not forever, even with modern advances. For every yin there's a yang to offset it. Then you have the human condition (war, hate, greed, etc..) and mother earth can light it up anytime she wants.

I think we all have our time here and no matter what, when it's up, it's up. Then we get to peek behind the curtain..
 
To me, the words immortal means you will not die, but that concept doesn't fit with humanity's history. We have seen with every innovation or new power given to mankind, there is a new potential for using it in self-destructive ways, and we do. Just because something may be technologically possible, you still have the human problems that plague our species. We have been fighting wars with each other for a million years, and that is highly unlikely to change. We will just take it to a new level. JMO.
 
The Koran promises a concept of immortality and eternal life in Paradise for the believers and righteous people. It is described as a spiritual form of existence in the hereafter. Verses state that the soul never dies and will be judged by Allah based on its earthly deeds.

There are gardens, rivers, beautiful dwellings and pleasure in Paradise as a reward from Allah, free from fear, suffering, sadness or any kind of hurt as experienced in the earthly life. Souls will be reunited with righteous family members and loved ones in Paradise, and a state of bliss, tranquility and satisfaction where all needs and desires are fulfilled.
 
Paco Dennis said:
The Koran promises a concept of immortality and eternal life in Paradise for the believers and righteous people. It is described as a spiritual form of existence in the hereafter. Verses state that the soul never dies and will be judged by Allah based on its earthly deeds.

There are gardens, rivers, beautiful dwellings and pleasure in Paradise as a reward from Allah, free from fear, suffering, sadness or any kind of hurt as experienced in the earthly life. Souls will be reunited with righteous family members and loved ones in Paradise, and a state of bliss, tranquility and satisfaction where all needs and desires are fulfilled.
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.. and virgins, don't forget the virgins.
 
chic said:
Do you think humans will ever become immortal through enhancements from technology? I do think so. Maybe people will live to be several hundred years old or just last forever. Vaccines will be perfected to prevent disease and if our bodies and minds don't wear out anything is possible. What do you think about this? Do you see it as a possibility for the future of human kind? What's your take on this.
Click to expand...
They'd better hurry up. There's a few of us here that have crossed the "90" milestone and I'm not too sure that we can wait too long for the immortality to begin.:)
 
I don't see the human body ever being immortale, or our consciousness being harvested and transferred to another vessel.
 

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