On Not Dying
Book Description
In a world where technology increasingly promises to transcend human limitations, anthropologist Abou Farman ventures into the fascinating realm of those who refuse to accept death as inevitable. "On Not Dying" explores the lives and beliefs of contemporary "immortalists" - individuals who pursue eternal life through scientific advancement rather than traditional spiritual means.
Farman takes readers on an illuminating journey through three distinct approaches to defeating mortality: the cryonics movement, where people preserve their bodies in hopes of future revival; biogerontology research aimed at extending natural human lifespan; and artificial intelligence projects seeking digital consciousness. Through careful ethnographic study, he reveals how these seemingly secular pursuits often mirror age-old religious quests for transcendence.
This thought-provoking work examines the cultural tensions that emerge when scientific ambition meets humanity's deepest existential questions. By investigating funeral homes, insurance companies, and legal institutions alongside immortalist communities, Farman illuminates how our society navigates the boundary between life and death in an era of technological possibility.
Part philosophical inquiry, part cultural analysis, "On Not Dying" offers readers a unique lens for examining their own relationship with mortality, meaning, and the eternal human desire to transcend physical limitations. The book challenges assumptions about where science ends and spirituality begins in our modern quest for lasting significance.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~9 hours)
📄 Length: 336 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Artificial Intelligence
- ✓ Explore Religion and science
- ✓ Explore Religion
- ✓ Explore Secularism
- ✓ Explore Cryopreservation
- ✓ Explore Immortality
- ✓ Explore Geriatrics
- ✓ Explore Religion and Medicine
