Question from Sex Drugs & Cocoa Puffs

[Nuzzolese]

This is a question from Chuck Klosterman's book of essays; Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. I'm sure many of you have read it already and maybe have given this question some thought. I'm interested in your answers. This is from the list of 23 questions he claims to ask everyone he meets, in order to decide if he really loves them.

You have a brain tumor. Though there is no discomfort at the moment, this tumor would unquestionably kill you in six months. However, your life can (and will) be saved by an operation; the only downside is that there will be a brutal incision to your frontal lobe. After the surgery you will be significantly less intelligent. You will still be a fully functional adult, but you will be less logical, you will have a terrible memory, and you will have little ability to understand complex concepts or difficult ideas. The surgery is in two weeks.
How do you spend the next fourteen days?







As for me, I'm really lame and first proudly thought I would rather die or take the chance at death than lose what moderate intelligence I do have. But then, no, I think I'd rather live even if I may be living as a different person. So, choosing life, and still being lame, I thought I would spend the next 14 days learning things, really trying to communicate deeply to people, studying and reading - you know, make the most out of my mind before it's sliced up.

Is that stupid or what? I mean, now that I think about it, if it's going to be gone anyway and I won't remember things I've learned, why should I bother? Why wouldn't I just spend the next 14 days like any other?

And furthermore, shouldn't I spend it talking to my family and just being around them being myself for the last time? How much of your personality is made up of your ability to remember things, to comprehend ideas, to be smart? Would you be very different as an idiot?

[Nuzzolese]

That's a really fucking good answer. Do you think you'd be able to comprehend your memories? Maybe you could try to document it in language for a child.

[Nuzzolese]

Then I'm also thinking, why try to hold onto those things? What's the point? Would you really be all that different and less lovable and less capable of enjoying life, with a lower IQ? I'm thinking more than memories or thinking aids you'd need people who would take care of you, make sure you're not putting metal in the microwave and things like that.

[enree erzweglle]

I believe that once you learn something, even though you might forget the intricacies of it, some shadow or imprint of that knowledge remains and that makes it that much easier to re-learn that concept, to pick it up again.

I'd have that operation. Maybe I'd record little videos for myself, reminding myself of what I did, what I knew, what I was and am still capable of.

Then I'd work on starting all over again, learning what I lost all over again.

Which really is pretty much what we all do anyway whenever we're born.

[Nuzzolese]

Did anyone ever read Flowers for Algernon? So sad. So sad.

[beastiegirrl101]

Originally Posted by Nuzzolese

Did anyone ever read Flowers for Algernon? So sad. So sad.

Read it...very sad...also like the movie Awakenings...with Robin Williams.

[Nuzzolese]

Originally Posted by beastiegirrl101

Read it...very sad...also like the movie Awakenings...with Robin Williams.

Oh my god, I'm welling up. The plight of the mentally challenged really hits me in the soft spot. But I loved the main character, can't remember his name right now, Robert DeNiro, when he was reverting and he insisted that the doctor continue tests and observations.

[beastiegirrl101]

Originally Posted by Nuzzolese

Oh my god, I'm welling up. The plight of the mentally challenged really hits me in the soft spot. But I loved the main character, can't remember his name right now, Robert DeNiro, when he was reverting and he insisted that the doctor continue tests and observations.

Leonard Lowe..."hello my name is Leonard Lowe and I have been asleep for some time.. . well, I'm back"


OMG getting the chills.

[ms.peachy]

I dunno. I think I might opt out of the surgery.

I have a sister and a nephew with moderate to severe neurological disabilites. I love them both dearly and I am not for a minute suggesting that their lives are not worthwhile, to themselves and to others. However, they will both need some degree of lifetime assistance. I also see my parents, as they approach late middle age, struggling to work out what will become of their daughter and grandson whne they can no longer care for them. My other sister and I know it will fall to us, and we accept that. But is a difficult thing for a family. How could I possibly add to this burden they are already carrying? I would rather use my remaining time to be who I am now, live the life I have left, and leave everyone with good memories.

[Nuzzolese]

Originally Posted by ms.peachy

I dunno. I think I might opt out of the surgery.

I have a sister and a nephew with moderate to severe neurological disabilites. I love them both dearly and I am not for a minute suggesting that their lives are not worthwhile, to themselves and to others. However, they will both need some degree of lifetime assistance. I also see my parents, as they approach late middle age, struggling to work out what will become of their daughter and grandson whne they can no longer care for them. My other sister and I know it will fall to us, and we accept that. But is a difficult thing for a family. How could I possibly add to this burden they are already carrying? I would rather use my remaining time to be who I am now, live the life I have left, and leave everyone with good memories.

But they would miss you so much. With a loss of your mental abilities, do you think that to them, it would be the same as a loss of you altogether?

[ms.peachy]

Originally Posted by Nuzzolese

But they would miss you so much. With a loss of your mental abilities, do you think that to them, it would be the same as a loss of you altogether?

Yes and no. They would mourn the loss of the person that they knew, certainly. But they would also love the 'new' me, because they love me unconditionally. However, I would rather make a conscious decision, as an adult with all of my metal faculties intact, not to put them into a position where they have to work out what to 'do' with me. I want to give them the gift of not having to worry.

Think, for example, about people who have a loved one with advanced Alzheimers. Of course they don't want Grandma or Grandpa to 'die', but in a sense, the person that they loved already has.

Now I know the difference in the scenario you are proposing is that I would still be able to have a fulfilling life, just on a different level (as opposed to an Alzheimers patient where it is simply a slow decline to death). But I have to consider all of the ramifications of my decision, and not be selfish. Yes, my loved ones would hurt, grieve, and mourn. But they would then be able to move on freely, without burden or obligation.

[mickill]

I'd post on the board as much as I could and start a bunch of "witty" threads.

or

Seeing as I would have the operation, I'd likely spend the next fourteen days writing all my most valued memories down in the best detail that I could. I wouldn't worry about grammar, I guess. I'd also try to have as many conversations with the people I care to talk to most, as often as possible. I don't think I'd sleep very much. I'd phone up/meet with a lot of people I haven't spoken to in awhile, but who've been important to me in one way or another at some point in my life. I'd write to some people, too. I'd probably try to do a lot of writing just in general.

One of my biggest fears is of losing my memory. I'd rather lose some of my ability to discern and comprehend things. I'm not saying that I think I've got intelligence to burn--I do think my logic and capacity to be insightful work to my advantage--I'd just be a little more concerned with not being able to remember what I did with my life over the last 30 years than what I'm going to do with the next 30. I'm not saying that I wouldn't be concerned with tommorow or the day after that, just that I'd be MORE upset about losing memories that mean something to me right now.

[Nuzzolese]

It's interesting how we consider making the most of our last time, but Ms.Peachy is thinking of other people and more considering what will happen after the operation, in terms of her care and others' responsibilities. Even those willing to undergo the operation would more likely look out for our own happiness than worry about how we will get along in life as morons. Will we have to find new jobs? You know what's sad, is that I bet I'd still be able to keep my current jobs. I wouldn't be worried otherwise, cause I have family close by to help me through it, and I don't have responsibilities for anyone else.

[kll]

Originally Posted by Mae

Ignorance is bliss.


I would spend those 14 days documenting every happy memory I ever had. Words & pictures. Articulating them in the best way i knew how so that, even if I couldnt read them later, someone may be able to read them to me and maybe I could see a glimmer of how happy I once was and it will give me hope about how happy I may be again.

I would revel in the idealized version of my previous self and use it to help me heal.

excellent idea. this gave me a whole new outlook on this...

[Nuzzolese]

Why aren't more people answering!? Fuck

[beastieangel01]

Originally Posted by Mae

I would spend those 14 days documenting every happy memory I ever had. Words & pictures. Articulating them in the best way i knew how so that, even if I couldnt read them later, someone may be able to read them to me and maybe I could see a glimmer of how happy I once was and it will give me hope about how happy I may be again.

Definitely. I'd start a huge scrapbook/notes/photo collection of sorts to help me remember things. I would also spend most of my time with loved ones. Talking to them about what will happen and things that we could do to help me and in turn help them to not go crazy when I lose my memory about things and such.

I would then ask my boyfriend if he would stay with me even though I'll be less intelligent. If he says no, I'll stab him in the eye and get a new boyfriend that will. If he says yes, well then, it's all gravy.

[kll]

Originally Posted by Nuzzolese

This is a question from Chuck Klosterman's book of essays; Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. I'm sure many of you have read it already and maybe have given this question some thought. I'm interested in your answers. This is from the list of 23 questions he claims to ask everyone he meets, in order to decide if he really loves them.

You have a brain tumor. Though there is no discomfort at the moment, this tumor would unquestionably kill you in six months. However, your life can (and will) be saved by an operation; the only downside is that there will be a brutal incision to your frontal lobe. After the surgery you will be significantly less intelligent. You will still be a fully functional adult, but you will be less logical, you will have a terrible memory, and you will have little ability to understand complex concepts or difficult ideas. The surgery is in two weeks.
How do you spend the next fourteen days?

I have a fear of being ill (as in stroke, brain tumor, etc.) and having my entire appearance change. When you look at Terry Schiavo from before her seizure to what she looked like afterwards, it frightens me. I would only elect to have the surgery if I could still function physically the same way and not have a permanent change in appearance. Being a vegetable, losing all dignity, becoming a burden, etc. seem to be an awful demise. This may seem shallow, but this is how I feel.

[Nuzzolese]

Originally Posted by kll

I have a fear of being ill (as in stroke, brain tumor, etc.) and having my entire appearance change. When you look at Terry Schiavo from before her seizure to what she looked like afterwards, it frightens me. I would only elect to have the surgery if I could still function physically the same way and not have a permanent change in appearance. Being a vegetable, losing all dignity, becoming a burden, etc. seem to be an awful demise. This may seem shallow, but this is how I feel.

In this hypothetical, you'd still be fully functional you'd just be dull-witted and slow. People would probably make fun of you, you'd probably get lost easily, and lose things, and have a terrible time keeping your finances in order. You wouldn't enjoy the same books and movies because they just wouldn't make sense to you. Thank god, you'd still have your looks. But how could your boyfriend still love you when he can no longer share the same intellectual interests?

[kll]

Originally Posted by Nuzzolese

In this hypothetical, you'd still be fully functional you'd just be dull-witted and slow. People would probably make fun of you, you'd probably get lost easily, and lose things, and have a terrible time keeping your finances in order. You wouldn't enjoy the same books and movies because they just wouldn't make sense to you.

considering physical appearance only goes so far and intelligence, wit, humor, etc. are what binds you to your friends and significant others, i would not want to burden them with this kind of a life... nor would i want to burden myself with this kind of a life, especially since i am making the decision as a capable, intelligent being... i would most likely elect to not take the surgery and would get on the first plane to NYC (my most favorite place ever) with my boyfriend and family and go out in style over the next 14 days...

[ms.peachy]

Originally Posted by kll

i would most likely elect to not take the surgery and would get on the first plane to NYC (my most favorite place ever) with my boyfriend and family and go out in style over the next 14 days...

Hey, look again - if you don't have the surgery, you can go out in style over the next 6 months

[kll]

Originally Posted by ms.peachy

Hey, look again - if you don't have the surgery, you can go out in style over the next 6 months

sweet! thanks!!! in that case, i'll hit NYC and europe!!!

[zippo]

Originally Posted by kll

since i am making the decision as a capable, intelligent being

PFFT who is this guy

[zippo]

im thinking of a movie where theres a woman who films herself and then sees what shes like after some change in her occurs like an operation i think, and she cant believe it...something close to that, i cant remember what it is...???

as for the question...i dont know.

[Gareth]

Originally Posted by Mae

I would spend those 14 days documenting every happy memory I ever had. Words & pictures. Articulating them in the best way i knew how so that, even if I couldnt read them later, someone may be able to read them to me and maybe I could see a glimmer of how happy I once was and it will give me hope about how happy I may be again.

I would revel in the idealized version of my previous self and use it to help me heal.

didnt read past this post...
but mightnt you become frustrated because you knew that your former self was considerably more intelligent and presumably able to accomplish alot of things, whereas you're now just a shadow of what you once were? inside you'd probably always know that...but having a reservoir of happy memories to draw on, memories that you may not be able to live up to anymore, may be counter-productive.