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86 Ways of Looking at Death

By: Kenji

When young i wasn’t much bothered about death; at least, i didn’t give it too much thought. Time passed much slower then and there was so much life ahead. At 30 my mortality worried me quite a bit. Oblivion especially. Several years back i started thinking my life expectancy might keep being extended indefinitely thanks to medical advances if i could keep going for a few decades in reasonable nick; either i’d be in the last inevitably mortal generation or i might just catch the ride in time. Or would death be something better, an unimaginable extraordinary wonder none of us should miss? Would indefinite life expectancy change beliefs in God? Now, i’m inclined to see my mortality as inevitable again. And time is rushing by. I would hope somehow in the great unknown to keep my own consciousness of self, to have my wife and dogs alongside. People wanting justice for others who’ve done good or ill: maybe death could bring not only one’s own life flashing before the eyes, but the feelings of others who’ve experienced one’s life. I’m not into fire and brimstone though. Reincarnation i have mixed feelings on. Being part of the ongoing universe in some sort of living way sounds comforting but still i come back to wanting to keep a sense of my current self.

In any event, best make the most of this life. There are heavenly things about it- it’s been incredible enough- and hard to let go of. I hope i’m still going strong at 102 like Manoel de Oliveira. Better get fitter, spring into action, run and leap and laugh in the face of mortality….or play peekaboo with death-defying bravado as a daredevil sky-diving tightrope-walking acrobatic human cannonball

 

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Brentos

2Apr12

Hunger would be a good one for this list, the martyrdom/suicide by malnutrition and hunger-strike in the late 20th century.

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Shamus-

26Jan12

Another list I wish I had thought of first! I would definitely add a Kubrick film, though: most of his films are painfully observed confrontations with death, that is, movies about characters for whom death seems imminent. But I take it you're not a fan.

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    Kenji

    26Jan12

    Oh there are several Kubrick films i rate highly.

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apursansar

15Oct11

Brilliant list, I also highly recommend Beizai's "Travellers", one of the most devastating and at the same time fascinating films about death.

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Tristan P. Teshigahara

21Sep11

Sweet list man. How about Itami's Daibyonin (1993), Double Suicide, The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On, Mehrjui's The Cow, Uncle Boonme and even What Time Is It There?

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    Kenji

    21Sep11

    Strange, i thought i'd already picked Boonmee.

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