User:Shabidoo/Oblivion
Oblivion is what happens when any human dies. It is the cessation of brain function and the eventual obliteration of the body through decomposition. It is difficult to pin down at what point a body no longer functions however there is agreement that once rigor mortis sets in a body cannot be recesitated. There may be a very brief period of time between the cesation of brain function and the cesation of the functioning of the rest of the body or visa versa. In some bases bodily functions make be prolonged artificially while the brain is effectively dead. It is uncertain if this means the end of conciousness though it is generally agreed that conciousness effectively ends at brain death even if the body is kept on a life support.
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[edit] Brain death
When the brain dies so does conciousness. There is no conceivable way that conciousness may survive after brain death. Some superstitious people have various magical theories as to how conciousness might continue however they are all without evidence and totally bananas when viewed rationally. Amongst the first cells to decompose are cells of the nervous system as they rely on oxygen more than other cells. As the circulation system has stopped functioning these cells have very limited access to oxygen. Brain cells can die within three minutes of death. The brain if left in tact will break down in a form similar to some other organs. Eventually gas that forms within the brain causes brain matter to form a honeycomb pattern. This matter will quickly liquify turning the brain into a goey mush. Our current understanding of the brain and our current technology is not yet advanced enough to preserve the brain for future recesitation. As brain cells can die within three minutes the brain must be flash frozen in order for any future recesitation. Flash freezing causes massive damage to brain cells making future recesitation unlikely even with an extremely advanced technology. No matter how much a person may believe in an afterlife or unity with a universal life force...all conciousness ends at brain death. The end.
[edit] Decomposition of the body
The human body will decompose over a period ranging from days to centuries depending on how well the body is shielded from humidity, wind, water and organic life. A body may be preserved through mumification, freezing, embalming or other natural and unatural preservation. It is currently beyond our technology to preserve and recesiate a body that has undergone rigormortis and or brain death.
Eventually all organic life will decompose and the matter that once made up the body will disperse into soil, air, bodies of water as well as beyond earth's atmosphere. It should be noted that human bodies are always shedding mater and that such shedded mater is effectively no different to the matter that disperses after decomposition. A human typically sheds skin cells equal to twice their body mass over a life span of seventy years.
[edit] Phases of decomposition
Assuming a body has not been perserved or obliterated by fire and or explosion the body immediately begins to decompose. The body breaks down both from within and without. Bacteria, enzymes, fungi and scavengers are all responsible for the greatest decay.
[edit] Early decomposition
Within a few hours blood within the body settles and the body becomes rigid and loses heat.
[edit] Mid decomposition
Anaerobic organisms feed off of chemical changes within the body and grow rapidly creating gasses which bloats the body. Scavengers such as insects lay eggs within the human body and other wildlife may also feed on body parts that can be reached.
Liquids and gasses escape through various openings in the body and newly formed ruptures. By now insect eggs will hatch and maggots will feed on open parts of the body and under the skin. The gases that escape are considered particularily maloderous unpleasant.
[edit] Mid decomposition
The body quickly decomposes through ferocious scavenger feeding, the release of more gasses and the liquification of body matter. Scavangers mostly abandon the body at this point.
[edit] End decomposition
Eventually dry skin, bones and caratelege is left which may take a long time to fully decompose. The remaining material will dissipate into the air, soil and into new plant and animal life.
[edit] Foot prints
Once the body has fully decomposed a person can be considered totally obliterated (both consciousness at brain death and later the body). All that remains are footprints (physical and recorded) and memories in living people. Eventually these will also disappears until absolutely nothing is left of a person. It is very unlikely that records of human existence can survive beyond a galactic catastrophic events meaning eventually humanity much like an individual human will be obliterated also.