ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author proposes a piece of technology out of science fiction, which he imagines is actually feasible. A particular contingency in which many people appear willing to hope they would die is a severely disabling stroke, a stroke that leaves one bedridden and inarticulate. Most of the people who deal professionally with the subject, including some contributing, are professionally concerned with the dying--ministering to them, defending their rights, providing them help or protection, designing institutions for their comfort and dignity. The consumer point of view is also helpful in thinking about how great the sacrifices are that we should want to make for the dying, or to keep people from dying, and what the limits are to the time and trouble and money we should devote to the dying and to those who may die.
