A research scientist for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been praised for sharing his honest response to being asked about what happens to humans after they die.
What happens to us when we die is the one question which has united theologians and scientists for thousands of years.
There's nothing which can make the problems and inconveniences of our day-to-day lives feel more insignificant than the fact that every single one of us will one day be in the ground, dust or dug up and displayed as fossilised remains in some hyper-futuristic museum.
Advert
There's a reason that most of us don't like to think about our mortality, and that is because it's absolutely terrifying to be faced with a great unknown which could very likely turn out to be nothing.
However, just because the concept of death is absolutely terrifying doesn't stop people's minds occasionally drifting over to the idea of 'what's next' on a particularly boring Tuesday afternoon.
And we're not alone either, as some of the brightest minds in the world of science and technology also find themselves wondering the same thing.
Advert
One of those people is MIT researcher and podcaster Lex Fridman, who found himself praised for his frank response to speculation about what happens after we die during a recently resurfaced interview with podcaster Joe Rogan.
During the interview, Rogan questioned Firdman on whether or not he thinks there is 'something else' which happens to us when our bodies stop existing - and anyone looking for reassurance won't be pleased by Fridman's words.
"I think I'm not smart enough to even think about that," he replied.
Now Fridman's response may be frustratingly avoidant to anyone looking for reassurance about what happens at the precise moment we pop our clogs, however his response drives home that no one (despite what they may claim) truly knows if there's anything after death.
"We know so little," he continued, adding that in order for beauty to exist in our world 'you have to have suffering'.
Advert
Despite his calm acceptance in regards to one of the biggest unknowns about human life, Fridman went on to explain that he believes the cycle of life and death is so important.
"I think mortality is essential for everything," he explained. "We need the end to be there."
Social media users have praised the research scientist for his 'great answer' to the question.
One wrote: "This is a great conversation. He said what we have always thought."
Advert
Another added: "Love this guy, he's so down to earth and open-minded."
While a third commented: "One of the best ways to know if someone is very intelligent is when they’re willing to say they don’t know."
Fridman's appearance on Rogan's podcast isn't the only time in which he has reflected on whether or not there is life after death, with the scientist regularly touching on the subject on his own podcast, alongside the likes of stand-up comedian Duncan Trussell and Russian mathematician Edward Frenkel.
Brenna Cooper