Reliving It Up

Life, Death, and Immortality

1. What is Death? (MIT Technology Review)
   
   

   • Defining death is complicated because it involves stopping both body and brain functions, which don’t always happen at the same time.

   • Medical advancements like life-support machines and organ transplants have made it possible to keep some body parts functioning even after brain death.

   • Some people see death as a process where the body gradually shuts down, not a single moment.

   • There are debates about when death officially occurs: is it when the heart stops, the brain stops, or when both happen?

   • Organ donation has further complicated this because doctors sometimes declare death early to preserve organs for transplant.

2. Why are there so many reincarnation and villainess anime? (SoraNews24)
   
   

   • Reincarnation anime is popular because it gives characters (and viewers) a chance to redo their lives in a new world.

   • These stories often feature "villainess" characters—people who start out as bad but learn from their mistakes and grow as individuals.

   • The genre resonates with fans because it provides hope, escapism, and second chances.

   • Villainess characters challenge typical "good vs. evil" stories by focusing on personal growth and redemption.

3. Isekai Anime Reflects Modern Society (CBR)
   
   

   • Isekai (where characters are transported to another world) is popular because it lets viewers imagine escaping stressful, boring, or difficult lives.

   • The genre highlights issues like work fatigue, societal pressure, and people longing for a sense of purpose.

   • Many isekai protagonists start as underdogs in the real world but find success or power in a fantasy world, which appeals to people looking for hope.

   • Some isekai anime also show the downside of escapism, reminding people that running away doesn’t solve all problems.

4. Immortality and Gilgamesh (Washington Post)
   
   

   • The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest stories in the world and follows a king searching for eternal life.

   • Gilgamesh learns that immortality isn’t achievable and that life’s value comes from the connections and experiences we have.

   • Today, some billionaires, like Jeff Bezos and Peter Thiel, are funding projects to reverse aging and extend life, echoing Gilgamesh’s dream.

   • These efforts, like developing anti-aging therapies, raise questions about fairness (who can afford them?) and what happens if no one dies anymore.

5. 2045 Initiative and Human Immortality (ABC News)
   
   

   • Dmitry Itskov, a Russian entrepreneur, launched the "2045 Initiative," aiming to let people upload their minds into robots and live forever.

   • The initiative’s stages include building lifelike avatars, creating robotic bodies, and eventually storing human consciousness digitally.

   • Critics argue this concept is more science fiction than reality, but Itskov believes it’s the future of humanity.

   • Questions about the ethics of mind uploading and whether such "digital humans" would still be "alive" remain unresolved.

6. Tech Disruptions and Delaying Death (CNBC)
   
   

   • Tech companies are exploring ways to delay aging and even prevent death by using gene therapy, artificial intelligence, and cellular research.

   • Some treatments aim to "reprogram" cells to make them younger or to fix genetic mutations that cause aging.

   • The goal isn’t just longer life but also healthier life, so people don’t grow old and frail.

   • Critics worry about who will afford such technologies, as they could widen the gap between the rich and poor.

7. Immortals Who Show Death is Better (Lightspeed Magazine)
   
   

   • Many fictional immortals—like vampires or gods—are depicted as being lonely or miserable after living for centuries.

   • Immortality removes the excitement and urgency of life, making every day feel the same.

   • The fear of outliving loved ones and the inability to grow or change are common themes in these stories.

   • These tales suggest that mortality gives life its meaning by making every moment precious.

Literature and Poems on Immortality

8. Ode: Intimations of Immortality (Poetry Foundation)
   
   

   • The poem reflects on how children feel a deep connection to nature and eternity that adults lose over time.

   • It explores themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the hope of finding meaning in life despite growing older.

   • The poet believes there’s still beauty and wisdom in cherishing life’s fleeting moments.

9. Tithonus (Poetry Foundation)
   
   

   • Tithonus, a mortal man in Greek mythology, was granted eternal life but forgot to ask for eternal youth.

   • The poem shows his suffering as he grows old and frail, trapped in a never-ending existence.

   • It highlights the dangers of immortality and the importance of embracing natural life cycles.

10. Hail and Farewell (Gutenberg)
    
    

    • This piece focuses on themes of letting go, saying goodbye, and the inevitability of change.

    • It explores how people find meaning in transitions and endings, much like life and death.

11. The Island of the Immortals (Lightspeed Magazine)
    
    

    • In this story, a group of people discovers an island where they can live forever—but at the cost of their freedom.

    • It critiques the desire for immortality, showing that living forever can be lonely and even torturous.

    • The story suggests that accepting death allows people to truly live.

Biology, Climate, and Preservation

12. Synthetic Biology (ScienceDirect)
    
    

    • Synthetic biology involves designing new forms of life, like creating bacteria that can clean up oil spills or produce medicine.

    • It could revolutionize healthcare, agriculture, and environmental protection.

    • However, there are concerns about safety (accidental releases) and ethics (playing God with life).

13. The National Collection of Type Cultures (UKHSA)
    
    

    • This collection preserves historical samples of bacteria to study old diseases and find treatments for new ones.

    • Scientists use it to track how diseases evolve over time.

    • It’s like a time capsule for understanding health and fighting future pandemics.

14. Permafrost Viruses (CNN)
    
    

    • As climate change melts permafrost, it could release ancient viruses frozen for thousands of years.

    • These viruses might infect humans or animals, causing new outbreaks.

    • The situation shows how climate change affects more than just weather—it can also impact global health.

15. Svalbard Seed Vault (Boston Globe)
    
    

    • The Svalbard Seed Vault protects seeds from all over the world as a backup for crops in case of disasters.

    • Rising temperatures from climate change threaten the vault’s long-term stability.

    • It’s a reminder of how important it is to safeguard biodiversity for future generations.

16. Oreo Doomsday Vault (Food and Wine)
    
    

    • Oreo created a special vault in Norway to store their cookies and recipe as a fun way to promote preparedness.

    • The vault highlights the idea of preserving small but meaningful parts of culture for future generations.