Katie Engelhart, a veteran journalist and author of "The Inevitable," dives deep into the emotional and ethical complexities of physician-assisted dying. She discusses the poignant story of Brittany Maynard and the legal battles surrounding the right to die across different states and countries. Engelhart also explores crucial topics like mental health's role in assisted dying decisions, the differences between assisted death and suicide, and the need for open conversations about mortality in our society.
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Brittany Maynard's Story
Brittany Maynard, diagnosed with terminal brain cancer at 29, moved to Oregon for physician-assisted death.
She advocated for expanding access to this treatment, garnering national attention.
insights INSIGHT
Complex Motivations for Dying
People seek assisted death for complex reasons beyond just physical suffering, including fear, finances, and relationships.
Engelhart emphasizes the messiness of these decisions, contrasting it with simplified media portrayals.
insights INSIGHT
Dignity and Dependence
Many equate dignity with maintaining control and independence, particularly bodily functions.
Assisted death offers a way to avoid dependence and indignity, allowing individuals to define their own dignified ending.
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Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future
Kevin Kelly
In 'The Inevitable,' Kevin Kelly outlines twelve technological forces that will significantly impact how we work, learn, and communicate over the next thirty years. These forces include becoming, cognifying, flowing, screening, accessing, sharing, filtering, remixing, interacting, tracking, questioning, and beginning. Kelly argues that understanding and embracing these forces will help individuals and businesses navigate the coming changes effectively. The book is praised for its optimistic and insightful view of the future, although some critics note that it lacks a detailed discussion of the potential downsides of these technological advancements.
Sean Illing talks with reporter Katie Engelhart, whose book The Inevitable is an up-close look at physician-assisted dying. This is the practice of receiving state-sanctioned medical aid to end one's life — a practice now legal in 10 U.S. states, Canada, and elsewhere around the world. They discuss the details of the procedure — including why people fight for this right and exercise it — as well as many of the moral and legal questions that it raises.
Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
