We all know that each of us comes with an expiration date. If we are lucky, and we remain in decent health, that date is well into the future. Others aren’t so fortunate. Since none of us are privy to the exact day we will take our last breath, hopefully we all live our best life until then.
In her debut novel, The Measure, Nikki Erlick asks: what if we could know how long we had to live? What would happen if a small box containing that information was mysteriously delivered to every person on Earth? Those whose boxes contained a short string learned that they had just a few days, months, or years left. Others found longer strings and, therefore, had lengthier timelines. The novel’s premise is fascinating, and Erlick does a great job exploring how this knowledge could impact individuals, relationships, and whole societies, including how different governments might react.
When my book club met last week to discuss The Measure, our hostess greeted us with an arrangement of small, unmarked boxes. We were told to pick one but not to open it until instructed. After a lively and stimulating discussion about the book (it received a solid 4 out of 5 stars from most of us), things got even more interesting. We went around the room and answered the question: Would you choose to open your box and why or why not?
Some of us, including me, opted to leave our boxes closed. A few said they might have opened it when they were young but not now (most of us are 60+). I chose to leave my box closed because I felt that knowing exactly when I will die could negatively impact my mental well-being. If I found out that I only had until next October, for instance, I’m afraid that I’d spend my last few months worrying rather than enjoying the time I had left.
Others said that they’d absolutely open their box. A few cited current health issues or having children and/or grandchildren as reasons for their decision. Some knew that their curiosity would get the better of them, although they’d probably have to have several stiff drinks before opening their box. Interestingly, even though we all knew these particular strings had no magical powers, as the boxes were opened, there was relief if the string was long, disappointment if it was short.
So, I’m curious. What would you do? Would you choose to know when – although not how – you will die?
If you’d open the box, would having a short or a long string change anything about how you’d choose to spend the rest of your life? Would you take more risks if you had a long string? Would you be more cautious if it was short?
If you would choose to keep your box closed, why? Would you have made a different decision at another time in your life?
Full disclosure: At the end of the evening, before I drove home, I opened my box out of curiosity. My string was long… whew.
Linking up to What’s On Your Bookshelf? hosted every month by Donna, Debbie, Jo, and Sue.
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I have this book on my TBR list for the winter and think that the author has definitely written an interesting concept. Your review makes me want to read it all the more. I love how your book club took this idea and gave everyone a box too. I honestly don’t know what I would do.
I guess none of us really knows what we would do if faced with this dilemma in real life. I also imagine many would look and regret their decision. I hope you enjoy reading the book!
I wouldn’t open it i enjoy not knowing and having a sense of mystery in my life.
I agree… just like it is now. I don’t want to know.
I would definitely open the box! I am currently living my best life now and I would not change anything specifically about what I am doing but I would prioritize some things, adding more urgency to their completion if I had a shorter string. I am the holder of all the family history and artifacts. I have already dispersed quite a bit but I would get that done sooner. Other projects are lengthier but as I mentioned above, I would amp up their completion time.
I am also a quiet rebel particularly if I am told that I have to do something or cannot do something. You will never know it…but I WILL prove you wrong…I will die when I want to…not when you tell me too! 🙂
That sounds perfect. Live how you are currently living, just add a little more sense of urgency if need be. As far as proving the string wrong… it seemed (in the book, anyway) pretty invincible.
It is a fascinating topic and a book I will seek to read. It is funny that for those whose lives are threatened by illness, etc, their fight or flight becomes more powerful. Mostly to try and live longer. I am with you in that knowing your expiration date would impact you more negatively than positively. For me, let’s chat about death naturally, like life, and embrace it as a thing that’s part of life and not a thing to ignore and be afraid of; accepting the inevitable is a significant milestone.
Exactly, Suzanne. Those of us who have reached our 50s, 60s, and beyond are pretty darn lucky. As far as extending life; quality over quantity. I have no interest in wasting away waiting for my time to run out.
Agreed, Janis, quality over quantity. That’s why I have always believed in euthanasia. I have seen to many people suffer so needlessly.
That’s a super hard question, Janis. I don’t want to hear that the end is near. Maybe I could deal with it if they told me it was ten years away. Genetically, I have about 8-10 years left anyway, but that doesn’t even seem real because I still feel young – basically. Things would have to get pretty bad for me to want to know that my pain would soon be over. If it was going to be an accident, I think I’d stop doing that activity forever, but that would get old if it was something like going to the store or walking in the park. I think we are better off not knowing what’s in the box.
I agree, Marsha, especially at our age. I “plan” on having many good years ahead, but there have also been many, many good years behind me. I won’t go willingly but, if there isn’t anything I can do to change things (and, according to the book, there isn’t), then I’d rather live the rest of my time without the angst of knowing my expiration date.
Amen to that, Janis. Have fun this week! I look forward to hearing about your reunion with Terri. 🙂
A brave concept for a book, Janis, and I hadn’t heard of it but it would certainly make great reading. How fun that your group leader ‘set you up’ like that, with the boxes! I think in reality I’d be frightened to open mine. I’m 75 now, and realistically the time ahead is not that great- certainly not great enough to do all that I might have wanted. So opening a box that told me I had weeks would throw me into a flat panic, and I wouldn’t enjoy anything. I saw my son get married this year and it was one of the happiest days of my life, but I’d like to be around to help them out and enjoy their company a bit longer, and hopefully see our grandson find his place in the world. But we never know, and it’s probably just as well.
I agree completely, Jo. Rather than make my last years/days/weeks/hours more meaningful, knowing my expiration date would negatively impact my enjoyment of life… and who needs that?
I loved that our host give us each a box with a string. It made being faced with that choice more real. I was actually surprised how many chose to look inside. Everyone had their own reasons but… yikes! No thanks. 🙂
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Hi, Janis – I just stopped by to see if I had missed any recent posts from you during my blogging break. Sadly, I see no new posts here. Me and all of your other readers would love to see a new post from you! ❤
Haha! I hope to have something soon (famous last words 🙂 ).