Design for Dying

About this book

As the fringe guru himself put it "Mademoiselle Cancer moved in to share his body." But in the days before he died Leary -- never one to miss an opportunity for a party -- used his approaching death to create an exuberant new vision of what dying can be. Optimism courage joy and spirituality were central to Learys final days and his death. Design for Dying -- Learys last book -- shows us how we too can make dying the high point of life. Irreverent thought-provoking and hilarious Learys parting shot pioneers new ways to die and new ways for the living to think about death. Urging us to take control of our deaths (and even to determine when and how we will die) Leary relates his own plan for "directed dying " a death we plan and orchestrate to reflect our own lives and values. And the psychedelic prophet flings open a whole new range of beyond-death possibilites for the wired generation. From downloading consciousness onto the Net -- so that our souls can outlive our bodies -- to the way technology can enhance the final days of the dying to the far-out promises of cryogenics Leary provides fascinating insights into how technology may eventually help us improve and even sidestep death. A thorough guide to death and dying resources and to online tools and further reading lists completes this surprising funny and totally original look at the new frontiers of death. Speaking to everyone who has ever wondered if theres more to death - -if theres life beyond the final frontier if death really means the end if dirges and hearses and funeral flowers are really how we want to be remembered -- Learys flamboyant final statement rteveals revolutionary ways to die and redefines with Learys trademark creativity and joy how the living can think about death.