“What’s it like being dead?” Hebert asked. “Not bad, really,” Wood Owl answered after a moment’s consideration. “Like waiting for a tax refund, only … - Larry Niven

The medical revolution that began with the beginning of the twentieth century had warped all human society for five hundred years. America had adjusted to Eli Whitney's cotton gin in less than half that time. As with the gin, the effects would never quite die out. But already society was swinging back to what had once been normal. Slowly; but there was motion. In Brazil a small but growing alliance agitated for the removal of the death penalty for habitual traffic offenders. They would be opposed, but they would win.

We learn only to ask more questions.

“They should give medals for this, Martinez.”
“By the time the paperwork goes through, we’ll both be dead and gone.”
“Too true.”