Leeward wrote:Ryall wrote:The only condition to this is that I retain mortality, so that at some point I could die if I wished it so.
Indeed. You wouldn't want to be the only sentient being alive.
The reason I would want to live forever, asides from a fear of death, is that life is an amazing experience filled with ups and downs. I would also be interested in finding out what becomes of the human race, and how far our technology advances.
For me, having one other immortal human would be enough: someone to share it all with. Just one person I would never have to say goodbye to.
I would still meet and befriend new and interesting people - mortals. So long as the human race keeps producing wonderful people to share time with, then life is worth living.
Yes the friends we make may die one day, but that happens whether we are immortal or not. A close friend of mine, whom I had known for 9 years, actually died this year in July. His loss was devastating, and I wish he was still here with us, but I wrote something along these lines in my eulogy to him, "... you had so many virtues: you were witty, kind, patient and loyal, and although goodbyes can be difficult, I am ever so grateful we met. Farewell friend."
That sums up my sentiments on this matter: the sadness we feel when we lose someone is worth all the happy memories we made with them. It hurts but it doesn't mean life isn't worth living, and it doesn't mean we can never find happiness again.
Perhaps I should make a new thread on this where we can discuss this further.