factoids > immortality

Immortality, n .

A toy which people cry for,
And on their knees apply for,
And if allowed
Would be right proud
Eternally to die for.

The Devil's Dictionary

Although it is a widely held belief that human beings are mortal, the relevant statistics do not, in fact, support this theory. Of all humans ever born, one-third were prehistoric, one-third lived since history began and one-third are still alive. Consequently, mortaility has only occurred in two cases out of three, a statistic that by no means suggests that it will always be true. So it appears that there is no significant evidence that any of us will ever die.

-- Feedback, New Scientist , 26 April 1997