On Death

Hello friends, In the traditional Space Camp fashion, we have not released anything in many moons. We are back with the warm and fuzzy discussion of assisting in one’s ultimate demise. Imagine being completely physically incapacitated by some debilitating disease while maintaining a sound mind (e.g. Stephen Hawking with ALS), would it warrant bringing your life to an expedited end? Now let’s flip the scenario and think about Robin Williams being merely cognitively impaired with Lewy Body Dementia. Does your opinion change? We discuss this dilemma with our friend and seasoned medical professional, Jeff, along with some stoic and theological underpinnings. Our philosophical base from Seneca eliciting the conversation: “I shall not lay violent hands upon myself just because I am in pain; for death under such circumstances is defeat. But if I find out that the pain must always be endured, I shall depart, not because of the pain but because it will be a hindrance to me as regards all my reasons for a living. He who dies just because he is in pain is a weakling, a coward; but he who lives merely to brave out this pain, is a fool.“ ROBIN test footage scene: https://youtu.be/Zveh4tV3NCU