Motivated by one of Swifty’s away messages, I’m thinking about quantum immortality. In case you are too lazy to read the linked article, basically quantum physics says that in someone’s own perception, they will never die. This is because in order for something to happen, it has to be observed, and only an alive person can observe something. This probably sounds like bullshit coming from me but the article talks about it a little more authoritatively.
Anyway, it got me thinking. Why don’t I bet everyone I know a lot of money that I’ll outlive them? In my worldview, I will never die, therefore I will necessarily win this bet. However, in their worldview, they will never die, but I will, thus they will win the bet. In other words, this is a bet that both of us will happen to win. In doing so, everyone comes out ahead. Confused yet? Me too.
[...] All this thinkin’ ’bout death reminds me. Dave was pontificating about quantum immortality and suggested that he would do well by betting money with someone on who lives longer. Since each person, in his or her own timeline, would seem to outlast the other, everybody just gets free money. [...]