Brian Maccaba, chairman of the foreign exchange application service provider Cognotec, is a man with an interesting philosophical perspective. At an internet conference in Dublin this month, Maccaba asked if he could speak on the subject of life after death.

A slight look of puzzlement crossed the faces of his listeners as he outlined some bizarre research. Maccaba explained that 5% of Americans have reported a near-death experience, and all reported that the experience had significantly improved the quality of their lives.