Interview Transcript
My personal philosophy . . . I don’t have a motto, but I always . . . I always . . . I always dream. I always take risks. I try to keep my eyes open.
They can be very subtle. It can be in how we construct something or, you know, in business deals that we . . . that we’ve made or, you know, just moving in with my boyfriend. You know, it’s . . . they all affect each other. Not really any particular _____. I decided to move to London when I was 17 and just go to school there instead of sort of furthering an academic education. It’s keeping . . . That keeping your eyes opening and listening to others, and having a dialogue with others. And then that’s . . . That’s my motto. And the risk I take is . . . It can expose you to a lot that can distract or affect you. I’m a very open, sensitive person. But also you have to have that conversation and then go into isolation, take that and filter it, and then go back to being a sponge.
No. I don’t dismiss religion or faith, you know. I’m still alive on this planet, and I think that in its truest forms, you know, in some way or other I’ve lived by a sort of mix of many religions. You know I always believe in bettering who I can be and striving to a higher place from there on my time on the planet. So in some ways, I don’t know if that will affect any possibility of an afterlife in any way; but I think that’s pretty similar to foundations of Christianity, and Judaism, and you know, and Buddhism. I don’t have one God that I . . . that I look up to.
Recorded on: 7/31/07
Discuss
Larry Wright on March 31, 2008, 2:51 AM
I respect your work as a physician and your efforts to counsel against suicide but your legal efforts are irresponsible and pretentious. Especially given your agnostic stance on the issue. I’d understand if you had a moral opposition. I’d even accept, though not condone, a competitive stance as assisted suicide is the ultimate in palliative care. Instead you offer the weak argument that legalization of assisted suicide wouldn’t make things better. I ask for whom? You’re statement that it isn’t a Human Rights issue is semantic garbage. It’s true that it shouldn’t be. Like other hot button issues (i.e. abortion, gay marriage, marijuana) we shouldn’t HAVE to make it legal. However, what choice do we have in the face of criminalization?
As long as you actively oppose personal freedoms you have no business calling yourself progressive.
Henk Poley on March 31, 2008, 1:22 PM
I wonder if Ira Byock has ever visited countries that legalise euthanasia. To speak with people who request it, people who talk to the patients, and the persons who supervise the process.
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