Death is one of the most constant thing in a human life, it is something no living thing can avoid. People don't want to talk about it because it scares them and the reason is simple. Death is unpredictable, it doesn't care about age, class or knowledge. It happens to anyone regardless of who you are, it can't be reasoned with or bargain with, it doesn't take bribes and no one prepare enough for it. No matter the age a person dies, even if it is 500, people still cry for losing their loved one.
The most scary thing about death is, it is sudden. Not knowing when or where it occurs, terrifies people. What if we have a device that tells death time, will I purchase it? I think I will. As a human being, there are lot of things we would do better, if we knew when death will come for us, especially the way we live. One thing I have noticed among terminally ill patient is that, the moment they find out death is unavoidable, they start putting their lives in order.
Putting things in order is more complex than you think, people's death affect others in a lot of ways but the most important part is, we all get the chance to make peace with it. Finally get to spend time with loved ones because we get to know how much time we have left, we get to say the things that matter before it is too late. What about the case of properties? There are some wealthy people that die without a "Will" that properly shares their inheritance.
The moment they are gone, their loved ones start tearing each other apart. Imagine the departed soul having to watch that. There are lot of things we humans could do right by having a device that tells time of death. But sincerely, I'm more terrified of the negative things people would do with it. Imagine terrorist having this device, suicide bombers will be the least of our worries.
This write-up was inspired by week 66 episode 1 - SciFi multiverse prompt titled "A device that can tell death time" in SciFi multiverse community.
Cover image - generated using chatgpt
