Episode 26 - "What would it be like to live forever?"

This week, Steve and Christabel are joined by the incomparable philosopher, sci-fi aficionadoand Plato stan Saloni de Souza to answer what it would be like to live forever. Saloni compares the different types of immortality we associate with various entities including superheroes,Jonathan Swift's Struldbrugs, and even with Liverpudlians. Steve informs us of the kind of eternal life introduced by the ThunderCats (as provided to Mumm-Ra by the Ancient Spirits of Evil), and Christabel takes the opportunity to talk a little too much about Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Twilight’s Edward Cullen. But should we even care about the quality-of-life immortal beings should expect, given that life’s only certainty is death (and taxes)? Surprisingly enough, this view isn’t supported by some interpretations of quantum mechanics; our hosts therefore turn to the topic of quantum immortality. Steve explains decoherence by analogising sets of superposed particles with stand-up comedy patrons, and Christabel relays David Lewis’ ‘quantum torment’ argument. It states that no-collapse theories entail that we might be eternally transported through the branching universe, trapped within bodies that continually degrade, but carry on living. This sets up a discussion with Saloni into the hidden (and not-so hidden) ableism of the immortality debate, and the ableist assumptions that build up around figures like Daredevil and the X-Men. The trio go on to discuss their own near-death experiences: we learn that Saloni and Christabel need to develop their peripheral awareness near motor vehicles, and Steve regales us with his roadside celebrity almost-encounters. Christabel informs us that she fears death about as much as a strongly worded email, and Steve affords us valuable insight into the art of saying ‘no’ at work (and getting away with it). Saloni leaves us with the characteristically sage advice to think of death merely as the ultimate deadline. So don’t leave it until tomorrow to binge this episode, dear listeners! Brobdingnagian-sized thanks to Saloni for joining us (and for being the Platonic ideal of a podcast guest). Email us the impossible questions children ask you at philosophyplaydate@gmail.com Find Saloni at https://www.salonidesouza.com/ Find Steve at https://drstevecross.squarespace.com Find Christabel at https://christabelcane.com/ Philosophy Playdate theme by Piers Cane