Christopher Hitchens diagnosed with cancer

[charlou]

Lion IRC's 'Satan doesnt want people talking about God' tangent split to here: http://rationalia.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... 71&start=0

[Horwood Beer-Master]

...It's an interesting feeling to think in the moment that each day might be your last.

By "interesting" you surely mean "shit"?

[maiforpeace]

...It's an interesting feeling to think in the moment that each day might be your last.

By "interesting" you surely mean "shit"?

That would seem to be the easy answer, but I don't think it is, based on what I have talked about with people who are dying and now dead. Once you have really accepted you will die, it's actually kind of a relief for many people as well as a new journey of self-discovery.

Seems like that would be the kind of journey Hitch would want to take as well.

I know this will sound very weird but of all the things I could die of, I hope it's not dementia or Alzheimers. I want to be aware of the process of my dying. After all, I only get to do it once.

[kiki5711]

...It's an interesting feeling to think in the moment that each day might be your last.

By "interesting" you surely mean "shit"?

No, I don't mean shit. I mean interesting. I've had that feeling and it actually was a moment of reflection on life and kind of making sure things are in order, such as will, life insurance, etc...once I'm gone. As I said in another thread, I've had a full life, been there done that, the only thing more I can experience is more of the same except now older. I'm not looking forward to struggling for another 30 yrs, I've had enough of that. I can only experience new "happy" experiences, I've had ENOUGH of bad ones.

[Ronja]

I know this will sound very weird but of all the things I could die of, I hope it's not dementia or Alzheimers. I want to be aware of the process of my dying. After all, I only get to do it once.

Mai, is it OK with you if I steal this as a quote for a Facebook status update? I so agree, 'cause I watched my beloved paternal grandmother's mind go for six or eight gruesome years (depending on from where one starts to count) before she finally died, and I would much rather be shot than go through the same.

[maiforpeace]

I know this will sound very weird but of all the things I could die of, I hope it's not dementia or Alzheimers. I want to be aware of the process of my dying. After all, I only get to do it once.

Mai, is it OK with you if I steal this as a quote for a Facebook status update? I so agree, 'cause I watched my beloved paternal grandmother's mind go for six or eight gruesome years (depending on from where one starts to count) before she finally died, and I would much rather be shot than go through the same.

You have my blessing my child.

I so understand what you went through with your grandmother, I am going through it right now with my sister who has advanced A/D.

[Horwood Beer-Master]

...It's an interesting feeling to think in the moment that each day might be your last.

By "interesting" you surely mean "shit"?

That would seem to be the easy answer, but I don't think it is, based on what I have talked about with people who are dying and now dead. Once you have really accepted you will die, it's actually kind of a relief for many people as well as a new journey of self-discovery...

...It's an interesting feeling to think in the moment that each day might be your last.

By "interesting" you surely mean "shit"?

No, I don't mean shit. I mean interesting. I've had that feeling and it actually was a moment of reflection on life and kind of making sure things are in order, such as will, life insurance, etc...

Well it would be nice to think I might react like this if I had a terminal disease - but I think it far more likely I'd get depression. I've never reacted well to the whole 'death' issue in any context.

[hadespussercats]

Now, I'd like to affirm that of course certain lifestyle choices lead to health problems-- I just get upset by people who are judgmental where sympathy would be more appropriate. Now I'm done grinding that particular ax. And Faithfree, we're all good as far as I'm concerned. No worries.

Right so why the utterly absurd and utterly sanctimonious and unnecessary comment?

No more unnecessary than "lol bollocks."

I've admitted I had an ax to grind, and I've made my explanations. I haven't been absurd, and I don't think I was sanctimonious. I was impassioned, and I made a remark that responded to a perceived tone in a comment. My response was angrier than the comment warranted. Sorry about that, Faithfree.

Considering that I've explained as much previously, I wonder about the motives behind your commentary, PC.
I don't wonder enough to need to read about them, though.

[Posse Comitatus]

Now, I'd like to affirm that of course certain lifestyle choices lead to health problems-- I just get upset by people who are judgmental where sympathy would be more appropriate. Now I'm done grinding that particular ax. And Faithfree, we're all good as far as I'm concerned. No worries.

Right so why the utterly absurd and utterly sanctimonious and unnecessary comment?

No more unnecessary than "lol bollocks."

I've admitted I had an ax to grind, and I've made my explanations. I haven't been absurd, and I don't think I was sanctimonious. I was impassioned, and I made a remark that responded to a perceived tone in a comment. My response was angrier than the comment warranted. Sorry about that, Faithfree.

Considering that I've explained as much previously, I wonder about the motives behind your commentary, PC.
I don't wonder enough to need to read about them, though.

lol bollocks.

[maiforpeace]

...It's an interesting feeling to think in the moment that each day might be your last.

By "interesting" you surely mean "shit"?

That would seem to be the easy answer, but I don't think it is, based on what I have talked about with people who are dying and now dead. Once you have really accepted you will die, it's actually kind of a relief for many people as well as a new journey of self-discovery...

...It's an interesting feeling to think in the moment that each day might be your last.

By "interesting" you surely mean "shit"?

No, I don't mean shit. I mean interesting. I've had that feeling and it actually was a moment of reflection on life and kind of making sure things are in order, such as will, life insurance, etc...

Well it would be nice to think I might react like this if I had a terminal disease - but I think it far more likely I'd get depression. I've never reacted well to the whole 'death' issue in any context.

I didn't react well to the death issue either for a long time. When I got older, and when I stared to be around others with a terminal illnesses and experienced their death, (in general this starts to happen more when you get older) that changed my perspective quite a bit.

[Horwood Beer-Master]

Well it would be nice to think I might react like this if I had a terminal disease - but I think it far more likely I'd get depression. I've never reacted well to the whole 'death' issue in any context.

I didn't react well to the death issue either for a long time. When I got older, and when I stared to be around others with a terminal illnesses and experienced their death, (in general this starts to happen more when you get older) that changed my perspective quite a bit.

My first experience of this was when I was 18 with my Mum. If anything I'd say it left me worse off for coping with these things.

[maiforpeace]

Well it would be nice to think I might react like this if I had a terminal disease - but I think it far more likely I'd get depression. I've never reacted well to the whole 'death' issue in any context.

I didn't react well to the death issue either for a long time. When I got older, and when I stared to be around others with a terminal illnesses and experienced their death, (in general this starts to happen more when you get older) that changed my perspective quite a bit.

My first experience of this was when I was 18 with my Mum. If anything I'd say it left me worse off for coping with these things.

Aww. I was traumatized by my mother's death only when I was twice that age. I can't imagine what it would have been like for me at 18.

[Meekychuppet]

Bad news!
He was definitely in the high risk group, but he knowingly took those risks.
Hopefully they got it early.

He knowingly took those risks. So I suppose he deserves whatever he gets. Nice.

I think you are reading more into what Faithfree (FF) was writing - all he wrote is that Hitchens knowingly took those risks, nothing more. FF is not a smug type of person.

It bothers me that there are certain illnesses that are generally maintained as warranting sympathy, while others get the response of "Well, they brought it on themselves." Smoking is an addiction some claim is harder to quit than heroin-- an illness in itself. Then to face what Hitchens is facing-- well, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I don't know Faithfree, but the implication of Faithfree's words are pretty clear-- though in this case, expressed with some kindness.

Heroin addiction is not an illness.

[mistermack]

The gods must be looking down on us and laughing.
I can imagine apollo saying " what's wrong with these humans, don't they realise they will ALL be dead within the blink of an eye ? "
Truth is we've all got a terminal illness, and none of us has got long.
.

[maiforpeace]

Bad news!
He was definitely in the high risk group, but he knowingly took those risks.
Hopefully they got it early.

He knowingly took those risks. So I suppose he deserves whatever he gets. Nice.

I think you are reading more into what Faithfree (FF) was writing - all he wrote is that Hitchens knowingly took those risks, nothing more. FF is not a smug type of person.

It bothers me that there are certain illnesses that are generally maintained as warranting sympathy, while others get the response of "Well, they brought it on themselves." Smoking is an addiction some claim is harder to quit than heroin-- an illness in itself. Then to face what Hitchens is facing-- well, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I don't know Faithfree, but the implication of Faithfree's words are pretty clear-- though in this case, expressed with some kindness.

Heroin addiction is not an illness.

I think he probably meant disease.