living will

living will, legal document in which a person expresses in advance his or her wishes concerning the use of artificial life support, to be referred to should the person be unable to communicate such wishes at the end of life. A living will usually goes into effect only when two physicians certify that a patient is unable to make medical decisions and that the patient's medical circumstances are within the guidelines specified by the state's living-will law. Typically, living wills are used to direct loved ones and doctors to discontinue life-sustaining measures such as intravenous feeding, mechanical respirators, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation that the patient would reject were he or she able. Without clear and convincing evidence of a person's wishes (such as a living will), life support may be continued indefinitely because of hospital policies, fear of liability, or a doctor's moral beliefs, even if the family believes the patient's wishes would be otherwise. Living wills are often used in conjunction with a health-care proxy, which authorizes a previously chosen person to make health-care decisions in the event of incapacity. Most states have legislation authorizing living wills. See also euthanasia.

Millions Now Living Will Never Die is the second album by the Chicago-based band Tortoise. Released in 1996 by Thrill Jockey Records, Millions... is renowned as a groundbreaking album for post-rock; an uncredited review from Outersound.com declares that not long after the album's release, the group were "hailed as godfathers of the American 'post-rock' movement". In 2008 the album was performed live in its entirety as part of the All Tomorrow's Parties-curated Don't Look Back series.

The album's title comes from a phrase used in the Jehovah's Witness faith, especially in the early 1900s.

Track listing

1. "Djed" – 20:57
2. "Glass Museum" – 5:27
3. "A Survey" – 2:52
4. "The Taut And Tame" – 5:01
5. "Dear Grandma And Grandpa" – 2:49
6. "Along the Banks Of Rivers" – 5:50
7. "Gamera" (bonus track) – 11:55
8. "Goriri" (bonus track) – 6:39
9. "Restless Waters" (bonus track) – 3:41
10. Tracks 7-9 are not on the American version of the album.

Band

• Dan Bitney
• John Herndon
• Douglas McCombs
• John McEntire
• David Pajo

References