The Voldemorte Fallacy
We almost made it through without what seems to be the obligatory reference, but fell at the last hurdle. Via the IEET: "here is the essence of the Voldemort Fallacy: the notion that seeking longevity beyond that which is 'naturally' granted is somehow intrinsically harmful - even if it doesn't look that way at first, and even if harm itself is not the life-extensionist's goal. Some of the conversations I've been involved in on the subject of longevity have been with people who seem to have the idea that the mere desire for personal longevity will somehow indirectly harm others. This, to me, seems to be the result of a particular brand of superstitious thinking - one that is heavily reinforced by literary portrayals of longevity-seekers. Voldemort's direct harm to others can perhaps be seen as a metaphor for the indirect harm that longevity-seeking is often assumed to perpetrate. Nobody really knows what sorts of evils might come about if people could live as long as they liked, but many people assume that evils must be there regardless, and that it takes a certain kind of weakness of character not to passively accept one's demise. ... The hope for a very long life is no different, as far as I'm concerned, from the hope that I will wake up tomorrow morning. The question, 'Why live?' is best responded to by the question, 'Why not live?' It isn't all that complicated."