On Death and Dying

Sheep spend their lives fearing the wolf, only to be eaten by the shepherd. Similarly, humans often fear an uncertain future, ultimately facing the angel of death.

Our advanced neocortex, amplified by artificial intelligence, gives us a false sense of superiority and control. Yet, our primal, fear-driven reptilian brain resembles that of the sheep. Human emotions perpetually swing between fear and greed.

At its core, man’s greatest fear is death. In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde’s protagonist trades his soul for eternal youth. Anne Rice immortalized vampires and witches to explore humanity’s obsession with escaping mortality. From Juan Ponce de León’s quest for the Fountain of Youth to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, humans have long sought the meaning of life—and ways to defy their ultimate end.

Having survived two heart attacks and living with five stents in my heart, I have developed an intimate relationship with death. Each day reminds me: “This could be it.” With my affairs in order, as I go about updating my Will & Estate Plan, mortality feels especially present.

Benjamin Franklin once said many die at 25 but aren’t buried until 75. After a lifetime of struggles, I no longer fear death itself—I fear not living fully. I dread rusting away slowly, far more than burning out in a blaze.

Here’s a blessing I hold dear: May the angel of death find you fully alive.

— Sina.