Review - ‘Eternal You’: a documentary about the Digital Afterlife Industry
Khadiza Laskor reviews ‘Eternal You’ for Part of Life: a documentary about the Digital Afterlife Industry, released in June 2024 at the Sundance Film Festival.
Khadiza is a third-year PhD Student at the University of Bristol’s Cyber Security Centre for Doctoral Training Programme.
Digital Immortality: In memory of Gordon Bell
In May 2024, one of the pioneers of personal computing passed away. Those familiar with technology’s relationship with death will be aware of Chester Gordon Bell, who helped coin the phrase ‘Digital Immortality.’ Khadiza Laskor had the privilege of meeting him a few months ago, and felt it was important to reflect upon Bell’s influence in the sphere of digital immortality.
Kicking the Bucket – A festival of living and dying
Liz Rothschild set up the Kicking the Bucket Festival in 2012. Working as a celebrant and burial ground manager, she realised that it was essential to talk with people before a bereavement in order for people to feel able to ask for what they really need. Here, Liz tells us about why she started the festival, what it involves, and how it helps to destigmatise the taboo subject of death and dying.
Funeral traditions – where did they come from and where are they going?
You may be surprised to discover that many of the traditions associated with the modern British funeral are actually hundreds, or even thousands of years old. But nothing is permanent, and trends are now moving in a very different direction.
Talking to the dead: a history of Spiritualism
Spiritualism is a system of belief based on the concept of communication with the dead, mostly through mediums – people who are able to contact the deceased. But where did it come from? How do mediums make contact with the dead? And do people still practice Spiritualism and séances?