Phucket List

We've all been memed by the bucket list: You're going to die, soon, so what sunset epiphanies or risky thrills must you have?But I wonder what previously inhibited acts would make your Phucket List: You're going to die, soon, so what would you do that the fear of consequences presently forbids?For example, while working for a truly, cruelly horrible person, I once fantasized that a terminal diagnosis would lead me to that person's office, where I would calmly say, "I have bad news. We're going to die."In the army, we'd vocally contemplate an outrageous offense, concluding, what are they gonna do? Draft me? Or, alternatively, what are they gonna do, throw me out?Would a terminal diagnosis liberate the monsters of your Id?Would the knowledge that death will soon put you beyond the reach of earthly consequences loose the fateful lightning of your terrible swift sword? Heroic sacrifice? Raging revenge?Would you attempt to speak nothing but unvarnished truth until the end? Would you finally tell your brother-in-law that he's an idiot?

Definitely not :-)It's a fun mental fantasy to imagine venting a frustration free of any constraint, but for me, the constraints don't derive from (or acquire strength through) fear of consequence - they're a result of my moral code, and my own belief in the importance of that morality.If I find out I'm going to shuffle off in short order, I'm going to want to go with my moral integrity intact.(If it's fun, but not immoral though, sign me up !) :-)

Hi, vimesey. Thanks for the reply.Perhaps I overweighted the thrust of my question onto actions prohibited because they are morally wrong ("Raging revenge?"): that's just me . I want to also consider how imminent death might liberate one to do those things that are morally right ("Heroic sacrifice?") but pragmatically expensive.I assume your moral code both prohibits certain actions and mandates others.Is there nothing a strict reading of your moral code mandates that you presently defer because of possible consequences? Do you always speak truth to power? Do you leap to the defense of the unpopular defenseless, regardless of the potential impacts on your social, personal and professional interests?

Fair points.My morality will always require me to weigh the cost of an action, when considering whether or not to do it. If someone's upset or in distress because their pet cat is in danger, I'm inclined to help out, because my morality would suggest that as a correct thing to do. But if the cat is hanging by a thread over a cliff edge which I'd have to dangle over to save it, the risk to me (and to those I love in my life) is too high. I'm not gonna dangle for the mog.Each scenario is going to involve that weighing, and you're right, in that I can foresee circumstances in which my imminent death will change the balance.There's no hard and fast guide as to the extent of that change, but my guess is that it will only quite rarely tip the balance.

Well, my sword isn't as swift as it used to be....If I knew I was going to die within, say a year, I'd definitely stop paying my bills. Let the bastards try to squeeze the money out of my non-existent estate.Mind you, I've made that miscalculation before.

They've got pills for that.

Is this like how old folk spend themselves into unmanageable debt?

Having the swiftest sword recommends you to no one.A wise woman once told me that the young ones come and go so fast, you'd hardly know they were ever there.But howzabout a serious reply, CS.Do your morals prescribe as well as proscribe? Are there no moral acts you defer due to cost? Would certain knowledge of imminent death change that?

No, it's more like how they smother their young in the crib.And how about you, Jon? Are you a perfect moral actor already?Would imminent death give you the backbone to live up to your own moral dictates? If not, what would?

I just want a beer and my guitar.And all-day blowjobs.

They make creams for that. I'd prolly go the other way and tighten up my act. I wouldn't want to piss anyone off upstairs as my last impression.

I'm thinking you have those. Thinking, not.Well, you know, kid, the problem with that (aside from whether you're simply using too much of CS' cream) is that making the special more everyday makes it more...well, everyday. It's like eating your favorite flavor of ice cream all day for days and days, and pretty soon you're sick of it. Even if it's peach ice cream, which is extra richly luscious--which reminds me to remind you that, in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.Give a little, get a little.Nome sane?

But it's not days and days. It's just for one day.

Jon writes: Absence makes the heart grow fonder....
Love me 2 times - one for tomorrow, one just for today!Keep your head up, indeed.