MIT scientist applauded for honest answer to what he thinks happens when we die

MIT scientist Lex Fridman gave one simple answer when asked what happens after death.

They say that nothing in life is certain apart from death and taxes, and while the latter is scary enough as is, the fear of what happens when we die is a genuine one. Do we shuffle off from this mortal coil and into some bright light to reach the pearly gates, are we reincarnated as someone else, or do we simply stop existing?

There have been plenty of experiments looking into what happens when we die, with no conclusive evidence giving an answer to what happens next.

One scientist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been praised for giving an honest answer to what they think happens when our time on Earth has run out.

MIT researcher and podcaster Lex Fridman has given his own musings on life after death in a resurfaced interview with Joe Rogan.

When Rogan asked Fridman whether he thinks there's 'something else' after we die, the researcher said: "I think I'm not smart enough to even think about that."

If you were looking for some sort of reassurance about life after death, or philosophical musings from a scientist about whether the end is really the end, you won't be getting it from Fridman.

Despite Fridman's impressive intelligence, he admitted: "We know so little." He did start the cogs turning by saying that for beauty to exist 'you have to have suffering,' adding that the circle of life is important: "I think mortality is essential for everything. We need the end to be there."

Thanking Fridman for his honesty, one comment said: "This MIT genius says he is not smart enough to expound on what happens after death. The really smart ones are humble because they are aware of how little they know. Thank you Lex."

Another added, "The smartest man on earth knows just as much as the dumbest man on what happens when we die," and a third said, "People can talk about what they believe about the afterlife, what they 'think' happens, but the afterlife and whatever it may be, cannot be known during this lifetime. We'll all find out what, if anything, happens soon enough. Until then, focus on what can be known....this present lifetime."

Fridman has discussed mortality numerous times on his own podcast, even interviewing Bernie Sanders about his own thoughts on mortality. Sanders says that when you're 83, the question does tend to come up, but claims that he's not afraid of death.

Instead, Sanders is afraid of what's ahead in terms of health and his own failing body rather than the moment of death or what comes 'after.'

Fridman continues to ponder the idea of life after death or a lack of, saying that he meditates about his mortality when he wakes up. He says he imagines that this day on Earth could be his last because one day, it will be.

As for pondering the questions of the afterlife, there are plenty of horrifying videos and images out there about the physical effects on our body that will keep you up at night. Don't say we didn't warn you.