Ben Upbin- Artifacts of Personality

 I saw a few people writing blog posts about death and I wanted to share my personal thoughts on it. Death is a process that will come to us all. It’s as natural as life. One minute you’re here and the next minute, you’re not. You’ve left and you can no longer make your mark on the world, but I don’t think so.

Throughout the class we discussed artifacts and how they may appear normal to some but to others are able to convey strong emotions and even affect their way of thinking. I think humans can be considered artifacts too. The family and friends we have all run off on us in different ways and when they do, those traits never leave.

For example: I was talking to my friend a few years ago and I made him laugh. He covered his mouth in laughter and shock which he’s never done before. When I questioned it he said “oh I’ve been hanging with Sarah (other friend) a bunch and she does it so I think she’s running off on me.” To me I thought that was a little crazy. Small changes like how you speak and body language can be shared but the way someone laughs? That was impossible. I thought that up until recently when I saw a funny video and instinctively brought my hand to cover my mouth while I laughed. 

Artifacts can be people if they are remembered for long enough, but I think all people are artifacts already by nature. As social creatures humans gain traits from each other. From our vocabulary, sense of humor, to even how we laugh, people adopt the traits of those close to them. I used to be so afraid of death. The great unknown taking me away before I had time to be remembered. I find it a little comforting that even if I’m gone, my future son could live on, watching his child laugh the way he and his father do.