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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/live/2016/nov/18/would-you-want-your-body-frozen-after-death-join-our-live-look-at-the-week
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| Do you commute for two hours or more? – join our live look at the week | Do you commute for two hours or more? – join our live look at the week |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.43pm GMT | |
| 14:43 | |
| A post-truth year? | |
| Further to that false news quiz (see here) we were interested to spot this week’s announcement of the Oxford Dictionaries’ word of the year ... We’ll let the Guardian’s Instagram feed explain: | |
| Oxford Dictionaries has declared 'post-truth' to be its international word of the year. The use of the term has increased by around 2,000% in 2016 compared to last year. Oxford Dictionaries explains that this is in the context of Brexit and the US presidential election. Last year's word of the year was - try to keep a straight face -the ‘Tears of Joy' emoji: 😂 | |
| A photo posted by The Guardian (@guardian) on Nov 16, 2016 at 4:23am PST | |
| What do you make of the concept, and the phrase? | |
| And here’s a response to the quiz: | |
| Oh, the embarrassment. I actually fell for two of those ten stories in the quiz. Goes to show, nobody is immune to the pernicious effects of this propaganda. (Most of it isn't satire--it's propaganda. Learn the difference.) | |
| 2.34pm GMT | |
| 14:34 | |
| Why are cats so popular on the internet then? | |
| Cats + the internet work so well because in real life they're so full of contempt for humans and so aloof (my own cat only thinks of me as a reasonably efficient food dispenser AT BEST) that capturing them unawares on camera looking daft is very rewarding, much more so than dogs because you get the feeling dogs would be so happy that a picture of them looking silly made you happy. A new cat gallery everyday please or maybe a rolling liveblog. Thanks in advance. | |
| Updated | |
| at 2.34pm GMT | |
| 2.12pm GMT | 2.12pm GMT |
| 14:12 | 14:12 |
| Your daily commute | Your daily commute |
| Sarah Marsh | Sarah Marsh |
| The number of workers who commute daily for two hours or more has increased by a third in five years, a study shows. Why? Research finds stagnant wages and soaring housing costs mean people are forced to get jobs further from home. I am keen to hear from readers who regularly spend a good few hours en route to the workplace. How do you cope? Do you love it? What are your favourite commuting activities? Have you learnt any valuable rules of travel? | The number of workers who commute daily for two hours or more has increased by a third in five years, a study shows. Why? Research finds stagnant wages and soaring housing costs mean people are forced to get jobs further from home. I am keen to hear from readers who regularly spend a good few hours en route to the workplace. How do you cope? Do you love it? What are your favourite commuting activities? Have you learnt any valuable rules of travel? |
| As someone who gets the dreaded Northern line every day, I don’t know how you do it! | As someone who gets the dreaded Northern line every day, I don’t know how you do it! |
| 1.55pm GMT | 1.55pm GMT |
| 13:55 | 13:55 |
| Cats on the internet – a cliché made in heaven? | Cats on the internet – a cliché made in heaven? |
| Matthew Holmes | Matthew Holmes |
| I don’t quite “get” the obsession with talking about how cats on the internet are a perfect match. But sometimes you just have to roll with it. | I don’t quite “get” the obsession with talking about how cats on the internet are a perfect match. But sometimes you just have to roll with it. |
| My favourite from this gallery celebrating California-based photographer Seth Casteel’s new book (he’s most famous for his shots of dogs underwater) is Jon Snow, seventh down in this gallery ... and right here, all kangaroo-like hind legs and frog paws: | My favourite from this gallery celebrating California-based photographer Seth Casteel’s new book (he’s most famous for his shots of dogs underwater) is Jon Snow, seventh down in this gallery ... and right here, all kangaroo-like hind legs and frog paws: |
| 1.39pm GMT | 1.39pm GMT |
| 13:39 | 13:39 |
| Quiz: can you spot the fake US election news stories? | Quiz: can you spot the fake US election news stories? |
| A news quiz for you now: | A news quiz for you now: |
| Did Donald Trump win the popular vote in the US election by 700,000 votes? Was he born in Pakistan? These questions and more form our fake news quiz, which comes after claims the propagation of false stories on social networks impacted the result. | Did Donald Trump win the popular vote in the US election by 700,000 votes? Was he born in Pakistan? These questions and more form our fake news quiz, which comes after claims the propagation of false stories on social networks impacted the result. |
| Let us know how you got on in the comments below. | Let us know how you got on in the comments below. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.40pm GMT | at 1.40pm GMT |
| 1.31pm GMT | 1.31pm GMT |
| 13:31 | 13:31 |
| Donald Trump’s latest movements, as described by our Washington correspondent (see 12:46) aren’t pleasing many of you below the line. | Donald Trump’s latest movements, as described by our Washington correspondent (see 12:46) aren’t pleasing many of you below the line. |
| Trump: | Trump: |
| I am the only one who knows who the finalists are! | I am the only one who knows who the finalists are! |
| As if we needed any further convincing that we are in the grip of a nightmare 'unreality' show, hosted by an egotistical sociopath. | As if we needed any further convincing that we are in the grip of a nightmare 'unreality' show, hosted by an egotistical sociopath. |
| His son-in-law, Jared Kushner | His son-in-law, Jared Kushner |
| More powerful than Trump, wealthier, younger, more ambitious and BIG BIG trouble imv. | More powerful than Trump, wealthier, younger, more ambitious and BIG BIG trouble imv. |
| 1.21pm GMT | 1.21pm GMT |
| 13:21 | 13:21 |
| Getting the squeezeboxes out | Getting the squeezeboxes out |
| Here’s a quick distraction for you, an invitation to nominate a tune for your fellow readers to listen to as part of the readers recommend series, which has been running for over a decade with a different theme each week. | Here’s a quick distraction for you, an invitation to nominate a tune for your fellow readers to listen to as part of the readers recommend series, which has been running for over a decade with a different theme each week. |
| This week you’re looking for songs that feature the accordion, and will produce a playlist for next Thursday, so do get involved. | This week you’re looking for songs that feature the accordion, and will produce a playlist for next Thursday, so do get involved. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.22pm GMT | at 1.22pm GMT |
| 1.09pm GMT | 1.09pm GMT |
| 13:09 | 13:09 |
| Isn’t there already a “terrifying invincible cyborg” somewhere on the loose, Reprobus? | Isn’t there already a “terrifying invincible cyborg” somewhere on the loose, Reprobus? |
| No, I'd like my to be buried in the sod and a tree planted over me so that I can be recycled into something beautiful and useful. And I'd like my mind to be uploaded into a terrifying invincible cyborg so that I can wreak my vengeful wrath on the weak and pitiful remnants of the human race. | No, I'd like my to be buried in the sod and a tree planted over me so that I can be recycled into something beautiful and useful. And I'd like my mind to be uploaded into a terrifying invincible cyborg so that I can wreak my vengeful wrath on the weak and pitiful remnants of the human race. |
| 12.51pm GMT | 12.51pm GMT |
| 12:51 | 12:51 |
| Another thought on death, and how we deal with it | Another thought on death, and how we deal with it |
| I don't have a problem with this.Religious people find peace before death with the belief that they will be going to a better place after they die.If non-believers can find relief believing that they will be resurrected physically (rather than spiritually) after their death, then surely that is their business | I don't have a problem with this.Religious people find peace before death with the belief that they will be going to a better place after they die.If non-believers can find relief believing that they will be resurrected physically (rather than spiritually) after their death, then surely that is their business |
| Completely agree with this comment. This girl's choice gave her a kind of faith and comfort. Having known a couple of people around this age who have sadly passed away and the questions they ask their parents during that period, I think it would be unfair and unwise to judge her mother for supporting this. Many parents resort to white-lies at this stage of an illness, motivated by love. Perhaps this approach isn't much different. | Completely agree with this comment. This girl's choice gave her a kind of faith and comfort. Having known a couple of people around this age who have sadly passed away and the questions they ask their parents during that period, I think it would be unfair and unwise to judge her mother for supporting this. Many parents resort to white-lies at this stage of an illness, motivated by love. Perhaps this approach isn't much different. |
| 12.46pm GMT | 12.46pm GMT |
| 12:46 | 12:46 |
| A week in Washington | A week in Washington |
| David Smith | David Smith |
| Our Washington correspondent gives us the briefest of updates on life just ten days since the election. | Our Washington correspondent gives us the briefest of updates on life just ten days since the election. |
| After upending political wisdom to win the US presidential election, Donald Trump has begun building his administration this week. He was holed up at Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan, New York, where a procession of hopeful candidates were seen coming and going. In a tweet, the president-elect even appeared to compare the process with his reality TV show The Apprentice. | After upending political wisdom to win the US presidential election, Donald Trump has begun building his administration this week. He was holed up at Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan, New York, where a procession of hopeful candidates were seen coming and going. In a tweet, the president-elect even appeared to compare the process with his reality TV show The Apprentice. |
| Very organized process taking place as I decide on Cabinet and many other positions. I am the only one who knows who the finalists are! | Very organized process taking place as I decide on Cabinet and many other positions. I am the only one who knows who the finalists are! |
| Indeed, it was another case of Trump tearing up the political rule book. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, was said to be a key influence on the transition, including reportedly “a Stalinesque purge” of those who fell out of favour. Outgoing president Barack Obama, meanwhile, has described Trump as “pragmatic” and “gregarious” and suggested he will take the job seriously. Is this wishful thinking on Obama’s part? Is he right to be so gracious about Trump or is he simply in denial? Does he have a choice? | Indeed, it was another case of Trump tearing up the political rule book. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, was said to be a key influence on the transition, including reportedly “a Stalinesque purge” of those who fell out of favour. Outgoing president Barack Obama, meanwhile, has described Trump as “pragmatic” and “gregarious” and suggested he will take the job seriously. Is this wishful thinking on Obama’s part? Is he right to be so gracious about Trump or is he simply in denial? Does he have a choice? |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.46pm GMT | at 12.46pm GMT |
| 12.37pm GMT | 12.37pm GMT |
| 12:37 | 12:37 |
| “Shouldn’t uploading and downloading consciousness be the more immediate goal?” asks this reader: | “Shouldn’t uploading and downloading consciousness be the more immediate goal?” asks this reader: |
| At the risk of getting all "mind-body problem", I'm not sure what freezing your body accomplishes, other than to ensure that you have a nice cancer-y corpse to come back and rattle around in. Shouldn't uploading and downloading consciousness be the more immediate goal, since that's the bit we're interested in? | At the risk of getting all "mind-body problem", I'm not sure what freezing your body accomplishes, other than to ensure that you have a nice cancer-y corpse to come back and rattle around in. Shouldn't uploading and downloading consciousness be the more immediate goal, since that's the bit we're interested in? |
| Science might make a fool of me yet, but I'm pretty sure that by the time science can copy-paste your mind from one place to another, they'll be able to 3D-print new bodies like novelty ham-slices. | Science might make a fool of me yet, but I'm pretty sure that by the time science can copy-paste your mind from one place to another, they'll be able to 3D-print new bodies like novelty ham-slices. |
| I realise I have made bioscience sound like some kind of terrifying gothic Kraft-owned demon, but hey, that's pretty much what it is. | I realise I have made bioscience sound like some kind of terrifying gothic Kraft-owned demon, but hey, that's pretty much what it is. |
| 12.22pm GMT | 12.22pm GMT |
| 12:22 | 12:22 |
| Some thoughts on that question shared below the line already | Some thoughts on that question shared below the line already |
| I can't see myself ever wanting to have my body frozen, although I can understand why a teenage girl who died before she had the chance to have a full adult life would want to. But my ideal would be to live to an age where I feel I've had a rewarding life, rather than to want to prolong it in such a way that even if it were to work, I'd wake up knowing no one or nothing about the wider world. | I can't see myself ever wanting to have my body frozen, although I can understand why a teenage girl who died before she had the chance to have a full adult life would want to. But my ideal would be to live to an age where I feel I've had a rewarding life, rather than to want to prolong it in such a way that even if it were to work, I'd wake up knowing no one or nothing about the wider world. |
| Now, if time travel was on the cards. | Now, if time travel was on the cards. |
| 12.09pm GMT | 12.09pm GMT |
| 12:09 | 12:09 |
| Would you have your body 'frozen' after death? | Would you have your body 'frozen' after death? |
| Matthew Holmes | Matthew Holmes |
| What kind of world would you wake up in were your body to be frozen for 10, 20, 50, 100 years? | What kind of world would you wake up in were your body to be frozen for 10, 20, 50, 100 years? |
| Some might say it can’t get much worse, but for one young woman, who has won a high court ruling allowing her body to be frozen in perpetuity, there’s at least the hope it will be one in which she can be cured of the rare form of cancer that has already taken her life. | Some might say it can’t get much worse, but for one young woman, who has won a high court ruling allowing her body to be frozen in perpetuity, there’s at least the hope it will be one in which she can be cured of the rare form of cancer that has already taken her life. |
| It’s usually the stuff of science-fiction – we know of Fry from Futurama, who wakes up in the 31st century after being accidentally frozen in 1999, and perhaps have a vision of Han Solo’s figure etched in carbonite in the Empire Strikes Back. Could we really be about to enter an age where the process is a genuinely viable medical option? | It’s usually the stuff of science-fiction – we know of Fry from Futurama, who wakes up in the 31st century after being accidentally frozen in 1999, and perhaps have a vision of Han Solo’s figure etched in carbonite in the Empire Strikes Back. Could we really be about to enter an age where the process is a genuinely viable medical option? |
| The field of cryonics has apparently advanced in recent years, with a process called vitrification partly to thank, and some scientists are hopeful. | The field of cryonics has apparently advanced in recent years, with a process called vitrification partly to thank, and some scientists are hopeful. |
| The question we want to ask you is whether – regardless of the science – you would take the option should it be offered. Under what circumstances would you consider placing your body in storage (should you have the £37,000 burning a hole in your pocket around)? | The question we want to ask you is whether – regardless of the science – you would take the option should it be offered. Under what circumstances would you consider placing your body in storage (should you have the £37,000 burning a hole in your pocket around)? |
| Do you share this reader’s grisly cynicism? | Do you share this reader’s grisly cynicism? |
| At some point, when there are hundreds of thousands of freezers full of hopeful corpses, and the cryo firms find their business model is unsustainable, you just know that a pet food company is going to buy them all out. | At some point, when there are hundreds of thousands of freezers full of hopeful corpses, and the cryo firms find their business model is unsustainable, you just know that a pet food company is going to buy them all out. |
| At least I hope it's a pet food company. | At least I hope it's a pet food company. |
| Maybe you are saddened by the moral dilemma? | Maybe you are saddened by the moral dilemma? |
| Whether or not this is possible is really beside the point. A family was torn apart at the time a 14 year old was dying, a judge had to make an incredibly difficult decision, a dying 14 year old was offered what was almost certainly a false hope, a father was alienated from his dying daughter. A family that was apparently not in any way wealthy scraped together the money for an almost certainly worthless procedure. | Whether or not this is possible is really beside the point. A family was torn apart at the time a 14 year old was dying, a judge had to make an incredibly difficult decision, a dying 14 year old was offered what was almost certainly a false hope, a father was alienated from his dying daughter. A family that was apparently not in any way wealthy scraped together the money for an almost certainly worthless procedure. |
| It's an unimaginable tragedy. How terrible for everyone concerned. Perhaps it's time to simply ban procedures like this in the UK. | It's an unimaginable tragedy. How terrible for everyone concerned. Perhaps it's time to simply ban procedures like this in the UK. |
| Tell us your thoughts in the comments below. | Tell us your thoughts in the comments below. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.12pm GMT | at 12.12pm GMT |
| 11.55am GMT | 11.55am GMT |
| 11:55 | 11:55 |
| Welcome to our social | Welcome to our social |
| Sarah Marsh | Sarah Marsh |
| Hello everyone and welcome to our weekly social, where we discuss the week’s news and comment with our readers. It includes insight from our journalists above the line about articles they’ve read or worked on. We’ve got lots of stuff on the US election this week, as well as some nuggets on a Star Wars romance and that cryonics question leading some newspapers on Friday morning. Look forward to getting started. | Hello everyone and welcome to our weekly social, where we discuss the week’s news and comment with our readers. It includes insight from our journalists above the line about articles they’ve read or worked on. We’ve got lots of stuff on the US election this week, as well as some nuggets on a Star Wars romance and that cryonics question leading some newspapers on Friday morning. Look forward to getting started. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.00pm GMT | at 12.00pm GMT |