Surety of Death

Sure, I can see where you're coming from. It's not an uncommon line of thought; some of my clients used to think the same way. There is a certain sense of invulnerability felt when you know your prophesied cause of death is old age. I suppose it lets you sleep easier at night, even.

Not to burst your bubble, but things aren't that rosy. You wouldn't want to be uninsured, not even in today's post-Event world.

You might not know this, but about twenty years ago, there was a sudden spike in sales of tobacco and liquor. Yup, that was immediately after the effects of the Event were publicized and proven true. But why was there an increase in cigarette and alcohol sales?

Because many people learned that they weren't going to die of lung cancer or liver disease. Well, what's the harm of having another smoke or another drink if you knew you were going to die of a car accident?

Do you know how the sales of tobacco and liquor are today? Just about where they were before the Event.

Actions always have consequences. Sure, you won't die from lung cancer. Doesn't mean that your body is suddenly immune to cancer. Same thing with alcohol, doesn't mean that your liver doesn't suffer any damage. The thing is, all you know is your cause of death, not when you'll die. The prophecy doesn't give you a free pass; you'll either die prematurely to other causes, or you'll survive for longer but suffer poor health.

Things do happen. You're never truly safe, even if you know that you will live until a ripe old age. Sometimes, it's the false sense of security that gets you. We've all heard of those in the news. A thrill seeker attempts an extreme sport because he knows he's not prophesied to die from sporting; ends up alive, but paralyzed from the neck down. Or the rise in cases of HIV, spread by reckless hedonists who were sure they weren't going to die from AIDS. Actions always have consequences.

Long term consequences, as the case may be.

Now, are you still sure you want to go uninsured?