Sorry for the morbid question but I have always wondered how these elements would divide people. So hypothetically if you HAD to choose that you're gonna die either by freezing or burning, and that they took the same amount of time, which would it be? Also let's say that you would be shattered to pieces after freezing, so you couldn't be revived anymore. So permadeath in both cases.


edit: I would personally burn because I live in a cold area and I am just so fed up with it. Also I like the idea of going out with a good show.

FREEZE... sure it's uncomfortable, but you really just end up going to sleep and not waking up. Burning to death requires a lot of screaming and writhing in extreme agony before loosing consciousness - no way.

I'd swollow my tongue.

Not necessarily, those monks seem to do it pretty calmly.

I would have to say freezing, its supposed to be very spiritual near the end and you become very comfortable and warm as death sets in.

Throw me in the Titanic.

I doubt I am as prepared for self immolation as those monks.

While I've always known I'm destined to explode to death in an awesome baptismal fire, I'd rather freeze.

I have a fire burning inside of me at all times.

I feel most comfortable in the cold. Freezing would be so peaceful...maybe burning would too after the initial nerve combustion...

Freezing all the way. I want to be as aware as possible when I die, and awareness sounds more feasible within deep chills than burning agony.

Definitely freezing.

I would prefer self immolation! Theres something appealing about having every single atom in your body scatter into oblivion.

What do they think that they accomplish by setting themselves ablaze?

It's simply a message... a message to the world (or anyone who happens to see/hear about it) that this is an issue that means so much to them, that they are willing to die for it.

As for the Poll... I'd have to say freezing to death... burning to death just seems so violent and painful... If I HAD to burn to death, I'd swan dive into some molten lava.

Freezing to death doesn't seem too appealing either. I really dislike cold weather.

I chose freeze, but if the temperature was high enough and the onset of the fire was very sudden, I'd choose to burn. So if I could get a blast of 1.5 million degree plasma to hit me at around twice the speed of a bullet and sustain for a few seconds, that would definitely be my choice.
I do prefer cold weather though. I hate being hot.

I think I would rather burn to death.

I say that because although I'm sure it would be very painful I think it would be faster.
The fire would most likely rob any available oxygen around me and I would suffocate.

I think freezing to death would be a lot slower.

Burning.

I've had very deep experiences, very real-like experiences in hyperspace (and dissociated hyperspace) with immolation leading to death. (precisely id like to be immolated by a bunch of Christians, Jesus, and their fearsome God)

I had a liking to the absolute intensity and pain, and also like house said I believe after the initial intensity it would become painless due to absolute nerve destruction.

I would choose a lower temperature flame, as not to insue instant death, but also something fast enough to engulf me instantly.

I believe It would also become peaceful in the last moments, just like any death.

Also it would be relatively quick, compared to freezing.
- Actually you would probably die due to asphyxiation (rapid inhaling of hot burning gasses into the lungs would crisp them instantly, stopping oxygen intake in the first few seconds + oxygen is being consumed by flames) rather then death due to the actual heat frying your brain.

But I must say I would like a few hours time before combustion to contemplate my life and upcoming death.

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On the opposite side of the spectrum, I have passion towards the intense cold as well. Freezing at absolute zero, that would be a delight.

But I still choose burning.

freezing

but if i was feeling ambitious i would soak my hair and clothes in some extremely flammable solvent that was super saturated with dmt, then light it up somewhere in the presence of individuals who need a good hyperpunting

Burn. Anyday of the week. It would be a hell of a lot quicker than slowly turning into a Popsicle. Might be more painful initially, but at least its over quickly.

But if i knew death was inevitable by fire or frost, I'd find something sharp and bleed myself out. I hear its an excellent way to go, warm and gentle. I don't fancy burning or freezing to death in any case.

I would prefer to burn, it's much quicker. As my last act I would light your cigarette.

Well it depends on what kind of freeze and what kind of burn.

Burning by electricity sounds tantalizing!

Freezing by liquid nitrogen sounds scrumptious!

As for the poll. I remain to not say. I have this belief that if I mention death, then it will happen. Kinda weird like that. Maybe after I shatter my ego a few times, then I will have no problem with it.

I just life too much I guess!