People I (Mostly) Admire 69. Does Death Have to Be a Death Sentence?
Apr 2, 2022
B.J. Miller, a palliative care physician and advocate for humane end-of-life approaches, tackles the often-taboo subject of death. He urges listeners to rethink dying as a natural part of life and suggests integrating conversations about death into education. The discussion critiques conventional medical practices and promotes compassion in end-of-life care. Miller also shares personal stories that highlight the beauty in dying and the importance of meaningful conversations to foster comfort and acceptance.
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Early Death Education
- Teach children about death early and openly, just like other life realities.
- Normalize death by relating it to everyday experiences like fallen leaves or pets.
Medicalization of Death
- Modern medicine has medicalized natural processes like death, turning them into problems to fix.
- This medicalization has sidelined other support systems like family and community.
Linda's Experience
- Steve Levitt's sister, Linda, suffered indignities while dying in a traditional medical system.
- Simple comforts like ice chips were restricted, highlighting the system's flaws.
