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Counterpoint: Hayflick limit [1]. Of course, the humble lobster, jellyfish and hydra [2] (along with other animals) don't seem to undergo senescence but IMO the
by yowlingcat 6y ago
Counterpoint: Hayflick limit [1]. Of course, the humble lobster, jellyfish and hydra [2] (along with other animals) don't seem to undergo senescence but IMO the jury is still out on whether hominids are biologically amenable to such feats of genetic engineering.
The other question besides whether such a thing is possible is whether it is desirable. Depending on one's viewpoint, one could look at immortal humans as a cosmic cancer. At least the cycle of death and birth limits the harm a bad actor can do. What would you do if your least favorite fascist were also immortal and invulnerable? And I do mean that somewhat rhetorically. It's a messy ethical subject to think about, personally. I kinda prefer life and death.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayflick_limit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayflick_limit
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_immortality#Organisms https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_immortality#Organis...
- amanaplanacanal 6y agoYikes! What if you die, but the fascist lives forever? That seems like the worst of both worlds.
- antepodius 6y agoWhy does it matter if everyone else is immortal and invulnerable?
- yowlingcat 6y agoGreat question. IMO, it's because it doesn't prevent the counterparty from torturing everyone else in perpetuity. The world risks turning into a Dantean inferno.
- antepodius 6y agoAre you talking about the counterparty taking 'physical' people hostage and torturing them? Because that sort of runs counter to 'everyone is invulnerable and immortal'. Or about them running sentient hell-simulations for fun because they're a sadist? In which case, yes, that is a concern. If you knew it was going on, you could presumably try countermeasures (up to and including threatening to run simulations that decrease the sadist's utility function, if you know it). Otherwise, maybe engage in trades with other people where you refuse to cooperate with someone unless you both audit each other's hardware?