Is death the only thing guaranteed in our lives?

[Fahad Afroz]

I have heard a lot of people say that, and its obviously true as well, but with the scenarios presented in the book there would always be a universe where someone always stays alive and survives every incident that might prove fatal for them in any other universe. So yes, yes it might not be the only thing guaranteed.

[Caroline Anne Richmond]

It is factually correct but not a statement we routinely say. Living is also guaranteed in this life. I think the statement is relevant to the story though and is a good way to begin this novel.

[Tushar Swami]

Although this fact that death is guaranteed is not relevant to the book, but it's a fact. Death is guaranteed and is inevitable, but it is not true that it is the only thing guaranteed. Love, happiness, grief all are inevitable things we have to face at some point in our lives.

[Buk Nerd]

I don't know about people saying anything like that as this is the first time I have come across such a statement. While I don't think like that, the statement does ring true - everyone and everything ultimately dies. I'm not sure I see the relevance to the story.

[Jagiine]

Death, the only thing in life that is guaranteed. That’s what people say and that’s what we all think. However, what if it isn’t?

(Location 26 of Kindle version)

The author gets a start to his story with the above statement. He says that 'people say so'. Do actually people say like that? Do you too think like that? What is the actual relevance of this statement to this story?

I've heard this before though not very commonly, and I more often hear it as "death and taxes." The truth of the statement I think depends on your interpretation of the meaning of death. Does death have to be final? Your death or another creature's? Another person's? The thought of death? Physical? Spiritual? Relational? Does metaphorical death, such as the death of dreams, count? Perhaps my thinking is too high minded, but it has left me without a concrete answer. In terms of relevance, I believe that's stated pretty early in the story when the theory of quantum immortality is raised. As society has become more "advanced," we've come to question facts and reality in more and more ways, looking for loopholes not only in the systems we've built but in the universe itself. Is death actually inevitable? Or is that just a belief we've taken on because of the perspective we have of reality?

[El_limitless]

Nobody does without first living. Yeah, death is guaranteed, but life is equally guaranteed as well. So I'd say the author is correct to the extent that death is guaranteed but not the only guaranteed thing in life.

[Kenna Ridzi]

I believe that this quote came from Benjamin Franklin. In his actual words, he said that nothing in life is certain except for death and taxes, which is mostly true. However, there are some instances where one would not pay taxes. So overall, I agree in saying that death is the one thing guaranteed in life that is constant for all beings. I think this statement is relevant to provide a hook for the reader and open the story making the reader think.

[Kelyn]

I've heard it, but a little more 'tongue-in-cheek.' "There are two things in life that are sure: death and taxes." As far as its relevance to the story, it might well not be true if you ascribe to the multiverse theory. We only meet a few Gary's in the book. Who knows how many there really are, living or dead? If there are diverging threads in every multiverse, wouldn't you live on in another (or more) if you died in one? So, as Gary goes on to say, wouldn't that kind of be like living forever? If they all are, for all intents and purposes, 'you,' perhaps death isn't guaranteed after all.

[yomide]

Well to answer that question, yes, death is the only thing guaranteed, at least that is what people say. Yes, even if i haven't literally heard it, we all think is. But looking at it the way Prof. Buzzard did, death is the only thing NOT guaranteed. And definitely agree.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

That statement was not relevant to the entire story but I agree with it. When you are alive, you have a freewill, you can do anything and control almost every thing about your life, but death you can't. It is guaranteed and no matter how cautious we can get, we can't run away from it.

Yes it is a guaranteed thing in our normal lives. Everyone who live will have to die one day. But I think this author challenges that concept via his novel. There are many world lines for the protagonist of this novel. Can't he die in one but remain alive in another. I think this is discussed in the initial lecture with the Professor

[Urvashi Tripathi]

Honestly, I had never heard anyone saying those lines. But I do agree with the statement. We all going to die one day, but each day we get chance to enjoy life, spread love and kindness. I believe there are many more things in life which are guaranteed. As Gary in his dream were committing murder, so I think the statement is relevant with the many world theory and a good start for the book.

[Nonso Samuelson]

Death, the only thing in life that is guaranteed. That’s what people say and that’s what we all think. However, what if it isn’t?

(Location 26 of Kindle version)

The author gets a start to his story with the above statement. He says that 'people say so'. Do actually people say like that? Do you too think like that? What is the actual relevance of this statement to this story?

I agree with the statement but it isn't complete; there are two things guaranteed—life and death. Dying implies there was a "living." It's what happens during living, though, that often times determines how we die, but the "if" we die was already settled before we were born.

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I didn't really understand what the author meant by this statement, but death is guaranteed. I don't think that it's the only guaranteed thing, though.

I do not think the author intended to convey some hidden meaning underneath this statement and seemingly the meaning is quite obvious. What has to be thought over is its relevance to the story, and with the story in the background what can happen to the inevitability of death as there are many world lines in each one different things can happen. If you can remain alive even in one world line, then is the death is guaranteed?

[Sushan Ekanayake]

I agree that death is the only thing that is guaranteed. It is the only thing we cannot escape. But for me what is more important is how you view life before you meet that guarantee. How you can make a difference. Knowing that death is a guarantee can lead you in two directions, make the most out of it and enjoy life to the fullest. Or just go with the flow and endure life. For me, I always choose the first. It is relevant as a whole because it talks about life and how the different Garry's perceived life.

Ofcourse. Discussions about death is always discussions about life on the other way round. You have to live first, and there are many ways that you can live. But despite of a single human being able to choose a single way to live his/her life, the author has taken it to another dimension with this many world lines concept. So you can try different ways of living in a single lifetime and see the pros and cons of each.

[fridamadrid]

Death is, in fact, the only thing guaranteed in life. However, I don't think that's something people usually say. Even though I guess we can all agree on it.
According to his theory, after every event in life infinite worldlines are created with all the possibilities of how it could have gone. So, there is always going to be a worldline were you are still living. Like, in some worldlines you will die, but in some you won't, which means we would all be immortal. Nevertheless, I don't think this is too relevant for the development of the story, but it's really cool and crazy to think about it.