People often say that it is death and the brevity of our existence that gives meaning to life. But my view, rather, is that this perspective is an attempt to rationalize the tragedy of death as a good thing. The reality is that the death of a loved one literally robs us of part of ourselves. The neocortical modules that were wired to interact with and enjoy the company of that person now generate loss, emptiness, and pain. Death takes from us all the things that in my view give life meaning—skills, experiences, memories, and relationships. It prevents us from enjoying more of the transcendent
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