Zyobot
Fleet admiral
Just a time-traveling robot stranded on Earth.
Posts: 17,132 
Likes: 7,189
|
Post by Zyobot on Jan 1, 2023 0:31:57 GMT
Death, as we know, is a part of life everyone goes through at some point — with the real mystery being what happens after our bodies give out, much to the debate of scholars and religious traditions the world over. But let's say a mischievous ASB decides to "enlighten" us a bit. Starting on January 1st, 2023, everyone who's passed away — whether in the dead of night on December 31st, or thousands upon thousands of years ago — not only exists and retains their individuality after death, but can also upload content, comments, social-media posts, and even livestreams from beyond the grave that finally allow us to have direct communication with those we've lost. {Some Ramifications That Occurred To Me...}
For one, I’m guessing friends and families of the deceased will have joyous, if also tearful reunions with those they’ve lost. Even if it’s only over a Skype call, that still beats the heck out of waiting a few more decades before meeting them again — wherever it is The Dead actually go.
Famous people’s another big one, though for those who died long before the internet went mainstream, I suppose ASB can hand-wave that and give them automatic proficiency in using it. Online interviews with historical figures like Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great, for instance? I’d certainly watch those! Unfortunately, I can’t vouch for how well they’d explain away all their Machiavellian power plays and innocent people they killed in their conquests to a twenty-first century audience. Probably BS their out of tough questions in much the same way as Putin, Assad, and other modern strongmen do when confronted by Western journalists, if I were to guess.
That said, they’d still have it easier than more recent figures who modern society reviles to begin with having a presence online. Hitler on Twitter, for instance? That’d create a shitstorm for the ages! Of course, I doubt he’d last long before being banned or dog-piled by an army of unhappy users — dead and living alike — though he might find his niche writing opinion pieces for the Daily Stormer and other Neo-Nazi conspiracy sites, too, which is equally unpleasant to think about. Same for the rest of the hateful fringe, too, with Lenin, Stalin, and their fellow Communists writing for Marxists.org and the like — not to mention getting into Twitter wars with Hitler and other Nazis. Heck, you’d probably see lots of inter-Commie and inter-Nazi infighting at that point, seeing as the Far Left is known for its purges and purity spirals, while Ernst Röhm and the SA would hold a grudge against Hitler for the Knight of the Long Knives.
All in all, a boon for scholars, the grieving, and trolls who live for chaos and discord. But on the other hand, probably a nightmare for lawmakers seeking to police incitement or hate speech from Hitler and the like, as well as a mixed bag for the justice system, which now has boatloads of testimony to collect from victims and quite the investigations ahead as new evidence comes to light. In any case, that's one hell of a New Year's gift from ASB to us. I'd expect 2023 to be a crazy year no matter what, but the shenanigans are bound to reach whole new levels here as The Dead finally speak!  Thank you in advance, Zyobot |
|
575
Captain
There is no Purgatory for warcriminals - they go directly to Hell!
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 3,391
|
Post by 575 on Jan 1, 2023 9:55:38 GMT
The one You didn't mention - now there certainly IS an afterlife which You'd know from having communicated with deseased loved ones. Religious leaders will go "we said that through eons!" while ordinary Joe and Jolene will feel secure about death and life's termination at this present state. At least I'd be happy to know I'd be able to communicate with my loved one's once this phase of life is terminated and I pass on - really sure they will think so too.  |
|
stevep
Fleet admiral
Posts: 23,411
Likes: 12,030
|
Post by stevep on Jan 1, 2023 11:59:54 GMT
In terms of information from the dead related to recent crimes you could have problems with using that evidence in court. Since the dead can't be physically present and hence take an oath its going to be an issue lawyers would have a field day with.
For the more ancient dead even with ASB intervention to given them knowledge of technology and resolve language problems there's going to be a lot of cultural issues to resolve. Also depending on the nature of the afterlife many might have changed their views on many issues since they were alive, or at least claim so.
Religious leaders could have a tough time as well depending on what the founding figures of their religion say. For instance I could see Jesus condemning many current versions of Christianity for rejecting his teaching and Muslims and Jews could find similar issues. Very early Hindus might find it abhorrent that their descendants treat cows as sacred animals as - to the best of my knowledge - they were basically nomadic invaders for who the cow was important as a food source. Plus simply the status the dead report for themselves as to what has happened to them could undermine some religious viewpoints. For instance for the Abrahamic religions there's a strong belief in hell so if people like Hitler aren't continuing screaming in agony at their eternal torture that's going to raise question. Ditto with other figures that have been condemned as heretics and the like?
A lot would depend on on what the dead actually say. For instance what if military figures from the Viking age report on their days of continued battle and feasting in Valhalla or people from classical Rome talk of how they meet gods like Jupiter and the like? Even the suggestion that multiple gods and afterlives exist would upset a lot of the more autocratic faiths. Similarly with Buddhist would they expect to hear nothing from their founder and other prominent figures because their in a state of nirvana and hence the existing world means nothing to them or would they be expected to send advice and encouragement for followers of the faith to be able to join them?
|
|
575
Captain
There is no Purgatory for warcriminals - they go directly to Hell!
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 3,391
|
Post by 575 on Jan 1, 2023 12:45:46 GMT
In terms of information from the dead related to recent crimes you could have problems with using that evidence in court. Since the dead can't be physically present and hence take an oath its going to be an issue lawyers would have a field day with.
For the more ancient dead even with ASB intervention to given them knowledge of technology and resolve language problems there's going to be a lot of cultural issues to resolve. Also depending on the nature of the afterlife many might have changed their views on many issues since they were alive, or at least claim so.
Religious leaders could have a tough time as well depending on what the founding figures of their religion say. For instance I could see Jesus condemning many current versions of Christianity for rejecting his teaching and Muslims and Jews could find similar issues. Very early Hindus might find it abhorrent that their descendants treat cows as sacred animals as - to the best of my knowledge - they were basically nomadic invaders for who the cow was important as a food source. Plus simply the status the dead report for themselves as to what has happened to them could undermine some religious viewpoints. For instance for the Abrahamic religions there's a strong belief in hell so if people like Hitler aren't continuing screaming in agony at their eternal torture that's going to raise question. Ditto with other figures that have been condemned as heretics and the like?
A lot would depend on on what the dead actually say. For instance what if military figures from the Viking age report on their days of continued battle and feasting in Valhalla or people from classical Rome talk of how they meet gods like Jupiter and the like? Even the suggestion that multiple gods and afterlives exist would upset a lot of the more autocratic faiths. Similarly with Buddhist would they expect to hear nothing from their founder and other prominent figures because their in a state of nirvana and hence the existing world means nothing to them or would they be expected to send advice and encouragement for followers of the faith to be able to join them?
Quite agree that the Religious Leaders of today and their Worshipped/Founding Fathers/Gods etc. may have quite different views and thus lead to much internal and - in these Socialmedia days - outside critisism and debate/condemnation etc. etc. If such occur will it literally mean the End of Days as the Gods/Worshipped etc. decide to just start anew?  |
|
575
Captain
There is no Purgatory for warcriminals - they go directly to Hell!
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 3,391
|
Post by 575 on Jan 1, 2023 12:55:37 GMT
Anybody for a collaborative TL? We assume each one of the Gods/Deities/Worshipped (no we'll call the politicals out it just gets too stupid and BTW the others have WAAAAYYYYYY too much power over the World - nukes not an option!) to write out the effects as seen from that viewpoint - Thunderbolts, Earthquakes, Volcanoeruption, Deluges, Hails, Brimstone, Plagues, Pandemics etc. allowed to spice up discussion! Takers???  (Disclaimer: no please its for fun!) |
|
Zyobot
Fleet admiral
Just a time-traveling robot stranded on Earth.
Posts: 17,132
Likes: 7,189
|
Post by Zyobot on Jan 1, 2023 20:02:59 GMT
The one You didn't mention - now there certainly IS an afterlife which You'd know from having communicated with deseased loved ones. Religious leaders will go "we said that through eons!" while ordinary Joe and Jolene will feel secure about death and life's termination at this present state. At least I'd be happy to know I'd be able to communicate with my loved one's once this phase of life is terminated and I pass on - really sure they will think so too. Well, since you mention the afterlife, I think I'll crib some ideas put forth by stevep on another forum and have it so that the faithful create their own heavens based on their beliefs. Atheists or areligious people, meanwhile, are sent to a "non-default" afterlife that's basically a blank canvas where they can create their own surroundings and summon desired items at will — allowing them, in effect, to create their own "personalized heavens" in the process. Okay, fine, I admit to borrowing a bit from the plot of What Dreams May Come. But all the same, I like the way they depict the afterlife the most, so that's what I'm going with here — hopefully, I like what I see when my time comes.  |
|
stevep
Fleet admiral
Posts: 23,411
Likes: 12,030
|
Post by stevep on Jan 2, 2023 11:12:36 GMT
In terms of information from the dead related to recent crimes you could have problems with using that evidence in court. Since the dead can't be physically present and hence take an oath its going to be an issue lawyers would have a field day with.
For the more ancient dead even with ASB intervention to given them knowledge of technology and resolve language problems there's going to be a lot of cultural issues to resolve. Also depending on the nature of the afterlife many might have changed their views on many issues since they were alive, or at least claim so.
Religious leaders could have a tough time as well depending on what the founding figures of their religion say. For instance I could see Jesus condemning many current versions of Christianity for rejecting his teaching and Muslims and Jews could find similar issues. Very early Hindus might find it abhorrent that their descendants treat cows as sacred animals as - to the best of my knowledge - they were basically nomadic invaders for who the cow was important as a food source. Plus simply the status the dead report for themselves as to what has happened to them could undermine some religious viewpoints. For instance for the Abrahamic religions there's a strong belief in hell so if people like Hitler aren't continuing screaming in agony at their eternal torture that's going to raise question. Ditto with other figures that have been condemned as heretics and the like?
A lot would depend on on what the dead actually say. For instance what if military figures from the Viking age report on their days of continued battle and feasting in Valhalla or people from classical Rome talk of how they meet gods like Jupiter and the like? Even the suggestion that multiple gods and afterlives exist would upset a lot of the more autocratic faiths. Similarly with Buddhist would they expect to hear nothing from their founder and other prominent figures because their in a state of nirvana and hence the existing world means nothing to them or would they be expected to send advice and encouragement for followers of the faith to be able to join them?
Quite agree that the Religious Leaders of today and their Worshipped/Founding Fathers/Gods etc. may have quite different views and thus lead to much internal and - in these Socialmedia days - outside critisism and debate/condemnation etc. etc. If such occur will it literally mean the End of Days as the Gods/Worshipped etc. decide to just start anew?
If there are multiple deities, or even multiple versions of the same deity then that's going to be rather chaotic!
Or some at least decide to abandon our universe - but leave it in being - and start afresh next door so to speak.
|
|
Zyobot
Fleet admiral
Just a time-traveling robot stranded on Earth.
Posts: 17,132
Likes: 7,189
|
Post by Zyobot on Jan 2, 2023 15:26:06 GMT
Quite agree that the Religious Leaders of today and their Worshipped/Founding Fathers/Gods etc. may have quite different views and thus lead to much internal and - in these Socialmedia days - outside critisism and debate/condemnation etc. etc. If such occur will it literally mean the End of Days as the Gods/Worshipped etc. decide to just start anew?
If there are multiple deities, or even multiple versions of the same deity then that's going to be rather chaotic!
Or some at least decide to abandon our universe - but leave it in being - and start afresh next door so to speak.
Quite so. But even ignoring that, just imagine the, ah, “raucous disagreements” between different generations of religious people over what their deities or religious traditions “should be”. Pre-1960s Catholics raging against Vatican II is obvious, but we can easily go back further, seeing as many theological and ceremonial developments over the centuries — such as kneelers in churches, for instance — would baffle the earliest Christians. Much the same should be expected from the cross-time faithful of other religions — which should be a real headache for religious bodies everywhere to resolve, now that there’s fresh debate over “long-settled” stuff now. |
|
