In 2011, the Gallery of Science at Trinity College Dublin hosted “Uncanny Valley,” an exhibition that showcased strange and innovative creations. Participants contributed their thought-provoking hybrid human-petunia called Etunia, which included human suits for pollination in a post-bee world. This exhibition, with its futuristic science shows and a hint of steampunk, captured the attention of viewers with its 30 skull-adorned eyes that followed them across the room, giving it a touch of David Cronenberg’s mad science.
“The concept of Julijonas Urbonas, a Lithuanian with a compassionate and unconventional view of death, revolves around the creation of a theoretical euthanasia contraption known as the Euthanasia Coaster display. This device, which seeks to provide a graceful and exhilarating end, garners attention periodically on platforms like YouTube, Reddit, and various other social media sites, offering a simultaneously gentle and chilling solution to the burdens of existence.”
Thrilling adventures on this planet can be dangerously exhilarating. Many individuals actively seek out roller coasters as thrilling experiences that can potentially be life-threatening. The assurance of safety provided by amusement parks is a major factor influencing people’s decision to ride roller coasters. A comprehensive analysis of fatalities in the United States over a span of ten years revealed that approximately four deaths were attributed to roller coasters. According to a long-term study conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 4.5 deaths occur at amusement parks each year. Nevertheless, incidents involving roller coasters are extremely uncommon. These rides present a scenario that combines the risks associated with a large number of visitors and the intense, twisting and dropping movements of mechanically operated cars designed for this purpose.
“In the 2011 gallery’s Science Event, Urbonas stated that his presentation on a 1:500 scale model is a humanely engineered roller coaster, designed to provide the experience of pleasure and euphoria while also simulating the act of euthanasia.”
The proposed roller coaster would measure approximately 4.5 miles long and stand over 1600 feet in the air. It is specifically used to determine the effect of acceleration on the human body. This monster of a ride would push the human body to its limit, forcing blood to its extremities for a full minute. It consists of two key elements: a series of shrinking loops that maintain a lethal 10 G’s of acceleration and a huge drop to propel the car.
“When (the mind) begins to suffocate, individuals typically become… Euphoric because (the) mind focuses on extremely important tasks,” Urbonas stated.
The designer aimed to present an alternative to palliative suicide that is characterized by medicalized, secularized, and sterilized aspects. Upon activation, individuals briefly lose consciousness before experiencing a sensation of exhilaration. Urbonas utilized his expertise in pilot training and g-force adjustments to contribute to the development of the euthanasia apparatus. This design choice was deliberate.
Urbonas expressed, “The act of engaging in ceremonies, which I integrated into the roller coaster, is a depiction of mortality that adds a modern element to the ritual.”
In simpler terms, you have the opportunity to have a memorable experience instead of being surrounded by unfamiliar machinery and pipes.
Following Urbonas’ proposition of his compassionate apparatus for mortality, an idea captivating enough to endure for more than a decade, the concept of confronting death as a somber experience continues to persist. In 2016, thanks to YouTube user Kester, who developed a simulation using Planet Coaster, one can even embark on a virtual journey aboard the Euthanasia Coaster.