I don’t know what you mean.

They all do

I hear ya

Exactly

I’ll just work with the “mattering” side of things. Though, I do appreciate everything else you’ve said. For me, mattering is impossible on a cosmic scale. For who I am, it’s also impossible on a historic/large scale. I’ll never be a leader or do anything worthy of history books or even a biography. That’s okay, I wouldn’t want to. On the “big” side, I’m an engineer working in electrical generation. Right now it’s nothing special but it does keep the lights on for many. Eventually with enough experience, luck and growth I hope to work on the nuclear side of things. I’ll never invent a thing that changes anything. But hopefully I’ll be part of a better future and cleaner energy. Being a little cog on a machine that big feels weighty and good. On the “small” scale, I’m a good member of my community. I spend about 16 hours a month volunteering with a really great animal shelter. I own/operate a small farm. ROUGH numbers, I sell about a quarter, keep about a quarter and donate about half of the things I produce. Its just enough money for me to consider it a moderately expensive hobby. That makes me matter to a small number of people, which in turn, makes me and my actions matter. I recognize the nihilistic point of it ultimately not tipping the grand scale at all. But for a minute something I produced kept a person fed whether they paid for it or not, that matters to me. Ironically both things are done kind of selfishly so that I can feel I matter.

If I bring any of my core beliefs into this discussion I’ll be dismissed, so I won’t. I’m operating in this discussion as though your premise is the sole correct one. That being the case 1000 years? Way too short I’d love to live infinitely. I’d want to feel things and participate in society as long as possible. “Mattering” to a small degree does carry some weight in my life. Its why I do the positive things I do and why I work the career I do. I recognize on a cosmic scale I don’t matter, but why is that of any consequence at all. The individual experience you can have when you don’t matter is all that really counts. So cutting it short/not wanting to extend it makes even less sense. I’m not trying to change your mind obviously and I’m enjoying the discussion.

Because we are just a small part of something big we don’t matter at all? I understand your point but I completely disagree with it. “Meaning” is an arbitrary and completely nebulous concept. To your point there is one incredibly small chunk of time we as organisms have to experience the universe. Why shouldn’t we try to enhance, enjoy, participate, improve for others and feel as much as possible? What does “meaning” have to do with it at all?

Yeah, that’s a way to think about it. I’m not the person who invented the idea of existential dread. It’s not something I can so easily just be okay with. I’m 32, doing mostly everything I can to enjoy the world as long as I can. Especially considering the view you have about the before/after, wouldn’t the during be the biggest and most important part? I just don’t understand the nonchalant attitude towards death. The reason you’d choose 40 is because that’s when the physical decline really starts?

I’ve shared enough of how I feel about the concept of aging and death. If my comments in this thread look like trolling, I’d advise you to get glasses.

Sounds like an intended “gotcha question”. No thank you.

We are just never gonna find common ground on this one bud.

Hurtful

Alright, that doesn’t scare the absolute fuck out of you more than anything else in the world? Complete loss of control, thought and being in general. That’s existential horror and the only way to avoid (temporarily) it is getting older. Sure it might be less good the older you get. But it’s still a life and conscience.

I’m trying to understand OP lol my own beliefs don’t matter at all. If OP believes in a pleasant afterlife/reincarnation its not a completely crazy initial question. If OP believes its black void eternity I’m way more confused/concerned. OP has stated nothing happens, in that case, wouldn’t you want to live as long as possible? Regardless of the associated suffering you endure with aging, isn’t life still better than the empty dark void?

deleted by creator

What do you think happens when you die?

Which ones?

I mean thats not a bad opinion its just a false statement/premise from every angle.

Pretty great advice, thanks!

I wouldn’t do it professionally. I have a great career I love already. But, I am afforded a ton of time off based on my schedule.