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| Fountain of Eternal Life (Photo by Notwist) |
There’s an ancient legend about Alexander the Great, who died at the ripe young age of 32. It is said that he pleaded with his personal physician for just a few more days of life.
When that request couldn’t be granted, Alexander then asked to be laid to rest with open palms facing upward. This was in order to show the world that in the end, even he was a beggar.
Nevertheless, immortality has been very much in vogue throughout the centuries. Religion and science have vied for first place insofar as immunity from death is concerned. Although many religions teach that only God is truly immortal, they also
promise that God can rescue humans from the clutches of death via salvation, resurrection and/or reincarnation.
In more recent times, science has also come up with some extraordinary “antidotes” to death. In his documentary How
to Live Forever, Mark Wexler interviews Suzanne Somers about her hormone cocktails, Aubrey de Grey about his biomedical rejuvenation strategies, and Ray Kurzweil about his extropian theories. He also interviews Jack LaLanne about the importance of physical fitness, Phyllis Diller about the importance of humor, and Ray Bradbury about the importance of intellectual stimulation.
However, the “longevity team” loses some ground when Wexler approaches famed surgeon Sherwin Nuland. Nuland tells Wexler, “It’s my obligation to everything that comes after me that I die within my allotted time.” Things don't get much jollier with philosopher Pico Iyer, who warns Wexler against being overly attached to life within this transitory world.
Resources
http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/films.php?id=21093
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immortality
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