It would be a good thing if people thought differently about life and death.
Today, the idea is "Live as long as possible. If necessary, use all the extraordinary medical technology available to extend life." What's the latest news? See http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/surgery-at-the-end-of-life/
People see Death as the enemy. Consider the Dylan Thomas poem. http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15377
and its rudimentary analysis here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_not_go_gentle_into_that_good_night
Suicide today, if considered at all, is the answer to the question, "Is your life so horrible that you cannot stand to live?"
I think it might be otherwise. "Having achieved the things you wanted in your life, is life so wonderful that you should continue to live?"
People fear death because living is all they know how to do.
People stay alive because it is difficult and/or painful to end their lives. If there were an On/Off switch one could throw, I think a lot more people would choose to leave.
It is important to say again that I write all of this not because I am depressed but because I have a philosophical position on the subject. Many would identify my position as an outgrowth of "existential nihilism." I don't disagree.
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