Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 12/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: 1. May I ask, what is all the things that last forever.  In religions, all of them, they say only Eternal Happiness last forever, you know.  

2. What is general or all the types apply to all that allow things to last forever? You told me: 1. plastic is best 2. dark place is best 3. Glass for medium. Is that the general and all of it or is there more?

3. It look like a safe or vaults or locks would answer keeping it in a dark place, I just get me an excellent glass for medium and an excellent plastic or putting it in as well.


ANSWER: Henry,
May I ask exactly what you are looking to preserve? It would be much easier for me to give you good information if I knew what we were talking about.
As for eternal happiness, that is a very interesting philosophical point. Thank you for that =)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: First of all, I be happy to tell you, but I do not know myself exactly what is needed preserving, but here what I want to preserved.

1. My favorite comic books,
2. Money
3. Holy Text (such as Vedas)
4. CDs
5. Eternal Happiness
6. Expensive Shirts
7. Video Games
8. DVD Movies

ANSWER: Well Henry,
I can tell you that CD's, DVD's and video games cannot be eternally preserved. These items are doomed by the technology they are made oh... the materials on which the information is recorded for these objects have a maximum life of about 100 years, even under the best circumstances.
Vedas can be eternally preserved within one's heart and mind, but the paper they are printed on can last for thousands of years as long as you keep it dark, dry and cool.
Money can be exchanged for gold, which will last forever under any conditions.
For comic books, there are also specially designed inert plastic cases, just the same as for coins and paper money.
Eternal happiness comes with finding your purpose in life, and being pleased with the life you lived at the moment of death. This is a philosophical and intellectual subject, not something that can be physically preserved.
I don't know too much about preserving expensive shirts or other clothing. You may want to pose that part of the question to another expert.
I hope this answers your question. Thanks again! =)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 1. But can someone comes up with the best CDs out there that is eternally preservable?

2. What is the general or universe types of preserving things.  You mentions three before.  Are there more?

3. What does Eternal Happiness means to you?

Answer
I must admit Henry, your questions are the most interesting that I have ever had as a volunteer on this site.

1. As far as the most current technology is concerned, no. Cd's and DVD's are made of microscopic dips and bumps on a plastic surface. They are so sensitive that just time itself is enough to ruin them. You can extend their life by keeping them in the environment I mentioned for other things... cool temperature, no moisture and no light. Even under these circumstances,  most forms of digital media will become unusable after 100 years or so. The History Channel actually had a really interesting show called "Life After People" which explained what happens to this kind of digital media over time.

2. As far as everyday physical objects, those are the main three. For specific items there may be additional things that will preserve them, but in general it's really temperature, moisture, air and light that do the most damage.

3. Eternal Happiness to me is exactly what I described it as... finding your purpose in life (Maslow's stage of "self-actualization") and being happy at the moment of death. What you take with you when you pass cannot be undone... and can carry on into the next life, if the person in question believes in reincarnation.

Thank you very much for these thought provoking and philosophical questions. =)