I had a recent discussion with a friend who has about 9 months left to live (cancer). He's in his 40s, single, and middle-class. He's also the most relaxed and fun person to be around. He cashed in his retirement fund, quit his job, and is having a great time. He realises time is short, but rather than cry about it he's trying to get everything he wants out of the way while theres still time.
My (now dead) grandfather was told by a doctor (after quadruple-bypass surgery) that he couldn't have his favorite foods anymore or he would die. He laughed at the doctor, and had his favorite (pankakes, bacon, and eggs) every morning for another year and a half before something completely unrelated killed him.
I think people are far to tied to trying to make what they have last forever, rather than accept what is around them and try to make it better.
All of earth dying is like a tree falling in the woods; it can't be a tragedy if no one is there to notice.
Just food for thought.
(and no, not PUI...it's not 11AM yet)