Interesting stuff in New Scientist recently (Oct 13) on death, dying and dementia. Bracketed under the heading ‘Cheating death’ was a series of articles that looked at, among other things, the lengthening lifespan, from medical, social and philosophical perspectives, and diagnostic advances that are changing our definition of death. Incidentally, the articles included one called ‘How does it feel to die?’. Decapitation – ‘nearly instantaneous’ – sounded like the quickest and least painful way to go, although it is probably the most gruesome.