Why is talking of death so taboo?

Question

Of all things in this life that we attempt to control, death is something that, no matter how long we try to put it off, it will eventually happen, to everyone.

Since it is an experience that we all will share one day, why is speaking of death, especially one's own, considered not only morbid, but evidence of mental instability? To deny one's own mortality would seem, to me, to be a more blazon sign of an individual's inability to fully grasp reality.

We easily speak of life, dreams and goals, but hesitate to acknowledge the one thread that ties every person on this planet together... death. Maybe if we spoke more about it, the material things that we fight and struggle for in this life could be viewed more clearly. And the true gifts that we have...love and friendship, would be put back at the top of our "things to do while I'm here" list.

What do you think?

Answer 1

First of all, I don't think most people consider talking about death as mental instability. However, people are certainly uncomfortable with it.

Basically, it's the same reason we don't like to talk about anything considered painful. You even said it yourself, we talk about dreams, goals, pleasant things. We avoid talk of unpleasant things. Death is certainly unpleasant. In fact when someone very close to you dies, it can be quite disabling emotionally. It's not something you can fix. It is something to avoid. We do talk about how to prevent death. Just not much conversation on how to carry it out. Heck, most religions are in fact mostly about mortality and what we do with ouselves while we are here. They all have philosophies on where you go when you die. Most of society is good. You only hear about bad news because it's unusual. They've tried having a "good news" show. Nobody watched it. Six billion people on this planet didn't kill anyone today. One thousand of them did. Which is more unusual?

Death isn't out there all by itself on the list of subjects to avoid. For example, How often do we talk about getting whacked in the balls? Or hey, I know, tell me about the last time you puked. What color was your last turd? Describe in detail what it feels like to break your leg. Have you ever seen Joe Theisman when they show a clip of him getting his leg snapped in two? He cringes like it just happened. He doesn't want to think about it. You get the point.

Us crazy humans. We avoid painful things.

Answer 2

I think it is the one thing people dread the most so they avoid the topic .
It is even more difficult for people to think about loosing a loved one than their own death.
I've found that Buddhists are more open to the discussion , however.
Personally, the issue has come center stage for me but nothing alters reality . . .
When I go, I am gone !
I think the bigger topic is the transition time . . . especially :
How do you communicate that info to people you know (and when) ?
What provisions need to be made for those dependent on you (even animals) ?
And is it better to give your assets to family or to orphans who would really benefit from it ?

But, what in particular did you find to be of issue ?

Answer 3

I agree with you. Most of us fear the unknown, and to us, death is something foreign to us. We're all going to die some day, sure, but since we don't know for certain as to what happens after death, I think people find it tough to discuss. The media has often portrayed death as something "bad," but really it's not. As a Hindu, my beliefs differ from others and I think that the soul transcends the body (the body is only used to serve a specific purpose, while on Earth) after death.
To sum it up, I'd say that this society bases so much of its opinions and views on what the media has to say, and out of that sprouts fear of what we don't understand. It definitely shouldn't be that way.

Answer 4

Because people are uncomfortable about talking about death. I don't think it is a taboo, but since people don't know what it will be like they may think that another person may think they are crazy if they gave their opinion about death.

Answer 5

Yes, it's true what you have said about death. It is not the best subject to bring up at a dinner party. It's depressing, but it can be discussed in the right forum.

I can't speak for other people, but as for me, I have no problem talking about it. In fact, I enjoy giving my opinion on what it's all about.

I also think that there is an ideal, and a reality. We hope that humans behave according to an "ideal", but what is more accurate is that we behave in reality.

Meaning, that the human race is very vain.

Answer 6

You made your point about talking about death. The reasons are:

1. It scares people. Not everybody is brave enough to accept that
death is a natural part of life. Some circumstances include
fear of loss, anxiety, etc.

2. People think it's wierd.

3. Everybody loves to enjoy life. Talking about it would spoil the
fun.

Answer 7

Almost everyone is afraid of the unknown, (this being death in particular) and it reminds them that they too will have to face this eventually.

They don't want to face it, but it is a part of life.

You are right, "Maybe if we spoke more about it, the material things that we fight and struggle for in this life could be viewed more clearly. And the true gifts that we have...love and friendship, would be put back at the top of our "things to do while I'm here" list. Sadly, we don't realize this until later in life.

Answer 8

Oh, I think our culture has glorified death, made it more beautiful so everyone wants to die. Sure you get those people that are scared of it, but they get over it when they see that everyone wants to do it. I don't think talking about death is so taboo, people write stories about, write poetry about it, write songs, make t.v. shows, do movies about it.

Answer 9

WEll it fepends on how we speak of death if it is a sign of instability. I think people have lost touch with the fact that it affects us deeply, and we have to face it.

I deal with it daily as regrettably I know my most likely means of demise. I ahve a family history and genetic marker that makes me highly suseptable to breast cancer. I have to deal with that, and it isn't easy, but I try to teach my kids too so that when I do eventually go they are okay with it, and know that I was happy.

Years ago we dealt with death daily, but not it is all behind closed doors, and we have forgotten to face it head on rather than hide from it.

Answer 10

You are right.....my opinion is , our spiritual being is incomplete, you need to get it right with God, if you know God and except that he died on the cross for our sins, you have nothing to worry about. But in these times ,we are going through a period of denial ,involving believing, and blind faith. And until we do look at the big picture our greed will do us in!