What does death feel like?

StrongInTheArm · 10-14-2007, 06:26 AM

I know this is a little morbid, but I found this fascinating. It is an article from New Scientist where they examined being killed in a number of different ways.

Drowning
Heart attack
Bleeding to death
Fire
Decapitation
Electrocution
Fall from height
Hanging
Lethal injection
Explosive decompression

They concluded that Madame Guillotine was the quickest and indeed less painful (if done properly) method of being killed. If true, this does make the case for electrocution and lethal injections in certain states in the US suspect. I hope this will not turn into one of those controversial threads, that is not why I brought the subject up.

I just think it is a very interesting article about a subject rarely discussed. And since in all likelihood I will die from a heart attack one day, I kind of think being forewarned is good. Does anybody feel as I do, or am I deeply warped?

StrongInTheArm · 10-14-2007, 06:29 AM

I'm feeling blonde today, sorry!

You'll be wanting a link no doubt:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19626252.800

**John Scott** · 10-14-2007, 06:32 AM

Quote:

They concluded that Madame Guillotine was the quickest and indeed less painful (if done properly) method of being killed.

Maybe physically, but mentally you still have the horror of knowing you're going to lose your head.

I think I'd rather be shot unexpectedly in the back of the head, by a super rich guy that my estate can sue for millions.

Julie · 10-14-2007, 06:36 AM

I think that if I were going to die, I wouldn't want to know in advance. That would just freak me out too much.

chicgeek · 10-14-2007, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Scott

Maybe physically, but mentally you still have the horror of knowing you're going to lose your head.

I think I'd rather be shot unexpectedly in the back of the head, by a super rich guy that my estate can sue for millions.

Agreed. In which case I'd prefer drowning of all of the above deaths. Relatively quick, usually little warning (time to think), and mostly painless.

Atom · 10-14-2007, 07:39 AM

But, I don't wanna die.

Atom · 10-14-2007, 07:49 AM

I know, I'll turn on some music. That will help.

Dan Williamson · 10-14-2007, 08:01 AM

I'd rather just die in my sleep without the aid of any, just merely go after a nice long life. Peaceful.

Alas, if I had to choose one of the above I would choose electrocution, it seems interesting.

StrongInTheArm · 10-14-2007, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Scott

Maybe physically, but mentally you still have the horror of knowing you're going to lose your head.

That is a good point that I had not considered. The anticipation of the event! I know I said I didn't want this to go down the capital punishment debate, and I don't, but I found myself asking is it not cruel to lock convicted prisoners away for so long with execution hanging over their heads. (See look an idea for a thread in the politics forum just going begging.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atom

But, I don't wanna die.

I don't either, but it comes to us all sooner or later, unfortunately. But if you can hang around for a while longer, science may be able to lengthen your life span to 100, 200 years, with relatively good health. Could you live with that amount of time? I think I could.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Williamson

Alas, if I had to choose one of the above I would choose electrocution, it seems interesting.

Dan you have a very interesting way of putting things

Sama3l. · 10-14-2007, 09:04 AM

Bleeding to death =) just so i can say I've left my mark on the earth. and can be buried. i dont fear my own death, what i fear is the loss of a loved one i guess thats selfish in some ways.

swiftmed · 10-14-2007, 09:05 AM

me personally, id prefer to be killed by lethal injection because i just get to fall asleep in no pain at all, the only thing that makes instant deaths like these worse is the fact you know your about to die. that psychologically can hurt real bad!

chicgeek · 10-14-2007, 09:35 AM

There have been reports that lethal injection may be very painful.

**John Scott** · 10-14-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrongInTheArm

That is a good point that I had not considered. The anticipation of the event! I know I said I didn't want this to go down the capital punishment debate, and I don't, but I found myself asking is it not cruel to lock convicted prisoners away for so long with execution hanging over their heads.

If you look at it that way, then it's also cruel to put people in prison and let them know that they will be there for several years.

StrongInTheArm · 10-14-2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Scott

If you look at it that way, then it's also cruel to put people in prison and let them know that they will be there for several years.

Mmmm... I would say no. Criminals serving time for the crime they have committed, I see nothing wrong with. If they have knowingly committed a crime then they should pay for it. If the laws of your country say that a murderer should hang, I may not agree with it in principle, but they are your people's laws and you have a right to decide on them.

What struck me, putting aside the right or wrong, was just the inhumanity of a person being allowed to sit in jail knowing that two, three or more years down the line they will be electrocuted, or have a lethal injection, or (as used to happen in the UK) be hung, or beheaded as in some Islamic states. That is a kind of cruelty. A vengeful sort of cruelty that says, 'we know what you did, and we are going to string this out for as long as possible, so you can stew on it' type of cruelty. Its the kind of cruelty that demeans our humanity and makes us a little less than we should be.

Perhaps there is no deliberateness about it, the system is such, for instance the justice system in the US allows for various appeals by the defendant that take that amount of time to process. And in a sense they are given a few more years to live.

Nonetheless, if I were sat in that position and left to ponder an inevitable end such as one of those outlined in that article, I would think that a kind of cruelty was being perpetrated on me.

**kristeejo** · 10-14-2007, 12:08 PM

I'll bet it feels kinda like marriage ; )

Domestic Diva · 10-14-2007, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Williamson

I'd rather just die in my sleep without the aid of any, just merely go after a nice long life. Peaceful.

My great grandmother passed away in her sleep at age 99. That is what I want....and I refuse to accept any other option.

paul.martin · 10-14-2007, 12:26 PM

Yeah. Passing away in your sleep is the way to do it! Really
I don't know though if I want to live until I am 99..I'll see how it goes

**G10** · 10-14-2007, 12:29 PM

Oh I think there are better ways to pass away than that