For Whom the Death Clock Tolls

A new app, Death Clock, rated five stars in the App Store, tells you when you'll die.

Just enter your age and factors like diet and exercise, and thanks to AI, you’ll discover, up to the minute, when it’s your time to kick the bucket.

This is a truly terrible idea. Modern philosophers would likely have opinions on the matter. Lawyers have addressed privacy and ethical concerns. A psychiatrist would say that knowing when I’m dying would only make me needlessly anxious. 

As I write this post in my office, I can hear the quartz clock on the wall ticking every second. Usually, I don’t notice the sound, but as I started putting these thoughts down, the metronome-like "tick, tick, tick" began to get to me. 

Humans are the only creatures who realize they will die. Death is often said to give life meaning. As we grow older, we become increasingly aware of the days we have left.

But having an app on my phone that constantly freaks me out is unacceptable. Gloomy. Morbid. 

Proponents of the Death Clock claim the app is meant to be an empowering tool that promotes a healthy lifestyle. It is categorized as a “health and fitness” app. 

I don’t buy that for a second.

How often does the doctor telling us we need more diet and exercise actually lead to lasting positive lifestyle changes? I don’t usually tell my doctor to pound salt, but if he tells me I need to cut back on salt, I might consider it. 

I temporarily installed the Death Clock app on my phone. The opening credits feature a logo that explodes into dust. Subtle. The next screen reads “Backed by science. Powered by AI.” It shows a robotic hand shaking a skeleton’s hand. Even more subtle.

The next screen asked me to enter my age, and that is as far as I got. 

If any of you have used this app or have thoughts on the topic, I’d love to hear them in the comments below. I, for my part, will keep enjoying my life one day at a time, without looking over my shoulder or into the palm of my hand for the Grim Reaper.

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