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A Protocol for Dying

hintjens.com

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Re: A Protocol for Dying

#41

Post by nemo1618 »

tomp wrote: post #33
nikolay wrote: post #30

As an Eastern Orthodox Christian, euthanasia would not be an option to me, but I really hope I'd never have to think about it as a choice. I had an early stage melanoma in 2004 and I know I "beat it", but I also know it's all a matter of time and I made some important lifestyle changes and most importantly - switching to a ketogenic diet and intermittent fasting. (Well, also as an Eastern Orthodox Christian, I'm curr…

I'm really curious, what makes you choose and follow rules that other people set up (i.e. whatever part of being an Eastern Orthodox Christian forbids euthanasia), instead of making choices yourself, whatever you believe is the best for your life? Even if you agree with most of what your religion prescribes or suggests, couldn't you just pick and choose the parts that you like and that influence your life positively,…

I'm hesitant to answer for nikolay, but my guess is that he has indeed made such choices -- one of them being to live according to the doctrines prescribed by his religion.

Rigidly adhering to dogma is something that many people take pride in. When done consciously, it's not blind obedience; it's a sort of trust in the groundwork that has been laid by your ancestors.

In other words, to simply "pick and choose" would denigrate the tradition that nikolay has decided to uphold. For some people, death is preferable to the dissolution of one's identity.

Re: A Protocol for Dying

#42

Post by dirktheman »

I always like to think that we don't really die, we live on in the memories of our loved ones. Even if you don't leave a massive legacy behind like you. When I think back of the good moments with my grandparents I'm not sad, I'm happy I got the chance to have experienced them in the first place.

Thank you Pieter, and godspeed on your big journey, whereever it will take you.

Re: A Protocol for Dying

#43

Post by bsandert »

tomp wrote: post #38
bsandert wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or he may have been diagnosed one or more years ago.

No. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11520979 > PieterH 3 days ago | parent | flag > Just found out today, after a week of tests and six weeks of feeling gradually worse. I'll try to answer your questions. I'm on my phone.

I stand corrected.

Re: A Protocol for Dying

#44

Post by imminent »

melling wrote: post #18

He seems to have accepted his fate but you still have to wonder if there isn't an immunotherapy treatment that would work for him. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/persona... 91 year old former President Jimmy Carter had brain cancer and was recently treated with it and he was cured. https://www.mskcc.org/blog/understanding-jimmy-carter-s-surp... https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/…

Have you read the article?

Re: A Protocol for Dying

#45

Post by lucb1e »

jaseemabid wrote: post #8

To anyone who does not know, Pieter Hintjens is the CEO of iMatix, where they build AMQP, ZMQ etc. Take care /u/PieterH. 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieter_Hintjens 2. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11520888 3. https://twitter.com/hintjens

I was just learning about AMQP, and he mentioned driving to Eindhoven - I study there. This feels close...

Thanks for mentioning this. (The article was by itself also interesting though.)

Re: A Protocol for Dying

#46

Post by function_seven »

melling wrote: post #18

He seems to have accepted his fate but you still have to wonder if there isn't an immunotherapy treatment that would work for him. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/persona... 91 year old former President Jimmy Carter had brain cancer and was recently treated with it and he was cured. https://www.mskcc.org/blog/understanding-jimmy-carter-s-surp... https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/…

> but you still have to wonder if there isn't an immunotherapy treatment that would work for him.

In the context of this article, no, I don't have to wonder. He expresses very well why he doesn't want to entertain such longshots.

Re: A Protocol for Dying

#47

Post by puranjay »

jaseemabid wrote: post #8

To anyone who does not know, Pieter Hintjens is the CEO of iMatix, where they build AMQP, ZMQ etc. Take care /u/PieterH. 1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pieter_Hintjens 2. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11520888 3. https://twitter.com/hintjens

I don't know about his work, but he is a terrific writer!

Re: A Protocol for Dying

#48

Post by aliostad »

For those who had the opportunity and pleasure of meeting you personally, the day the news broke out was a black day. You are a person who makes a deep impression, your thoughtfulness and very balanced view and how you articulate them. I now read your writings and find them even more compelling: sharp observation and bravery to spell the truth out.

Death is coming to all of us. We all die. Death of some, however, will be a big loss. You, sir, are among them.

Re: A Protocol for Dying

#49

Post by nikolay »

nemo1618 wrote: post #41
tomp wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm really curious, what makes you choose and follow rules that other people set up (i.e. whatever part of being an Eastern Orthodox Christian forbids euthanasia), instead of making choices yourself, whatever you believe is the best for your life? Even if you agree with most of what your religion prescribes or suggests, couldn't you just pick and choose the parts that you like and that influence your life positively,…

I'm hesitant to answer for nikolay, but my guess is that he has indeed made such choices -- one of them being to live according to the doctrines prescribed by his religion. Rigidly adhering to dogma is something that many people take pride in. When done consciously, it's not blind obedience; it's a sort of trust in the groundwork that has been laid by your ancestors. In other words, to simply "pick and choose" would…

There's no such thing as a half-Christian - you either accept it all or none; there's no cherry-picking. A suicide of any form is a sin - among Catholics as well and in some other religions, too. People had been terminally ill in the past as well, but there's always a chance - even a minuscule one.

Re: A Protocol for Dying

#50

Post by Maarten88 »

nemo1618 wrote: post #41
tomp wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm really curious, what makes you choose and follow rules that other people set up (i.e. whatever part of being an Eastern Orthodox Christian forbids euthanasia), instead of making choices yourself, whatever you believe is the best for your life? Even if you agree with most of what your religion prescribes or suggests, couldn't you just pick and choose the parts that you like and that influence your life positively,…

I'm hesitant to answer for nikolay, but my guess is that he has indeed made such choices -- one of them being to live according to the doctrines prescribed by his religion. Rigidly adhering to dogma is something that many people take pride in. When done consciously, it's not blind obedience; it's a sort of trust in the groundwork that has been laid by your ancestors. In other words, to simply "pick and choose" would…

I've seen orthodox religious people get into serious psychological problems after someone they loved died prematurely and unexpectedly. When you really believe that God has its hand in everything, death of a loved one is a hard thing to swallow: it must be some punishment or lesson, but why?

Orthodox christian religion is i.m.o. not helpful at all when coping with death.

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