Your own death.

[RED-DOG]

If you had to choose and the knowledge couldn't change the outcome, would you rather know the date or the cause?

I'm going for cause. I just hope I'm not murdered by a beautiful woman.

[Graham C]

I don't think I'd like to know either, I'd think about it too much.  If I had to choose, probably the cause - wouldn't mind being murdered by a beautiful woman!

How could you not change the outcome in certain scenarios ?  If I die in a train crash, I could just avoid trains and train tracks from now on.

[The_nun]

It would have to be the date for me, main reason so that I could make sure I had tidied up any draws that may contain things others should not see, thrown out any tatty undergarments !.



P.S Tatty undergarments  = old fav comfy items. 

[Graham C]

Getting your affairs in order is a good point, perhaps the date.

What if it's next week though?  I'd spend from now until then worrying.

[doubleup]

For most people the cause of death is fairly obvious as it approaches ie a disease of some kind, so it would be fairly pointless having that info.

The date would be quite useful if you asked for it when approaching retirement, as you would be able to plan your finances perfectly, which might compensate for any negative effects of knowing how long you had to live.

Can't see what use either would be to a younger person, but if they were forced to choose, I suppose cause would be best as this wouldn't be upsetting for most people.

[Redsgirl]

For most people the cause of death is fairly obvious as it approaches ie a disease of some kind, so it would be fairly pointless having that info.

The date would be quite useful if you asked for it when approaching retirement, as you would be able to plan your finances perfectly, which might compensate for any negative effects of knowing how long you had to live.

Can't see what use either would be to a younger person, but if they were forced to choose, I suppose cause would be best as this wouldn't be upsetting for most people.

What if the cause was some kind of accident like a car crash, or choking? You'd end up being terrified of every trip or meal, wondering if this was the one.
I'd rather know the date if I had to choose. At least you could live your life with wild abandon up to that point.

[kinboshi]

What about if you're allowed to choose both?

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/jul/14/assisted-suicide-dignitas

I don't fear death, but no one wants a protracted and painful death - it's more a fear of the actual "dying" and not wanting to suffer for me. Something like motor neurone disease would be particularly horrible for me I think, and something like Alzheimer's must be particularly hard for friends and family to go through.

So as to the question, I think I'd like to know when, so I can make the most of what's left and make sure I get done what I want to do before I pop my clogs.

[RED-DOG]

What about if you're allowed to choose both?

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/jul/14/assisted-suicide-dignitas

I don't fear death, but no one wants a protracted and painful death - it's more a fear of the actual "dying" and not wanting to suffer for me. Something like motor neurone disease would be particularly horrible for me I think, and something like Alzheimer's must be particularly hard for friends and family to go through.

So as to the question, I think I'd like to know when, so I can make the most of what's left and make sure I get done what I want to do before I go to Heaven.

FYP

[doubleup]

For most people the cause of death is fairly obvious as it approaches ie a disease of some kind, so it would be fairly pointless having that info.

The date would be quite useful if you asked for it when approaching retirement, as you would be able to plan your finances perfectly, which might compensate for any negative effects of knowing how long you had to live.

Can't see what use either would be to a younger person, but if they were forced to choose, I suppose cause would be best as this wouldn't be upsetting for most people.

What if the cause was some kind of accident like a car crash, or choking? You'd end up being terrified of every trip or meal, wondering if this was the one.
I'd rather know the date if I had to choose. At least you could live your life with wild abandon up to that point.

The vast majority of causes are going to be age related and the ones that aren't could happen when your older as well.    Whereas knowing you are going to die young wouldn't be a great imo, as one of the major advantages of being young is believing that you are immortal.

  

[celtic]

What about if you're allowed to choose both?

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/jul/14/assisted-suicide-dignitas

I don't fear death, but no one wants a protracted and painful death - it's more a fear of the actual "dying" and not wanting to suffer for me. Something like motor neurone disease would be particularly horrible for me I think, and something like Alzheimer's must be particularly hard for friends and family to go through.

So as to the question, I think I'd like to know when, so I can make the most of what's left and make sure I get done what I want to do before I pop my clogs.

Happy to die now, now that I've found something to agree with kinboshi on

[Matt.NFFC.]

Would have to be date......

If it was cause, and I knew it was say car accident, then I would absolutely crap myself everytime I got into a car!  What kind of fear would I be living in?  Not good.

But if it was date, then at least I can do as much as I can and tie up all the loose ends beforehand, and hopefully be mentally strong enough in the build up to accept that this is it.

[Geo the Sarge]

What about if you're allowed to choose both?

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2009/jul/14/assisted-suicide-dignitas

I don't fear death, but no one wants a protracted and painful death - it's more a fear of the actual "dying" and not wanting to suffer for me. Something like motor neurone disease would be particularly horrible for me I think, and something like Alzheimer's must be particularly hard for friends and family to go through.

So as to the question, I think I'd like to know when, so I can make the most of what's left and make sure I get done what I want to do before I go to Heaven.

FYP

Lol.

Date for me,

Tricia and I live for our family, we are a small but very close unit.

I'd want to ensure they are well prepared for my passing.

Geo

[MintTrav]

My Grandad knew both.

He knew the date when he would die.

And he knew how it would happen.

He didn't know it his whole life - just from when the judge told him.

[tikay]

My Grandad knew both.

He knew the date when he would die.

And he knew how it would happen.

He didn't know it his whole life - just from when the judge told him.

Crikey.

If it's not too personal or intrusive, could you enlarge on that, please?

[david3103]

My Grandad knew both.

He knew the date when he would die.

And he knew how it would happen.

He didn't know it his whole life - just from when the judge told him.

Crikey.

If it's not too personal or intrusive, could you enlarge on that, please?

Whooooshhhhh


I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandad, not screaming and crying like the passengers on his coach.