Well I do believe it is a complex equation, where it can often be shown (it's quantum, don'tcha know) that -
Living + Learning > Learning + Dying > Dying + Learning > Learning + Living
As you may guess, faster learning is represented by a "greater" result. The irony being, that most people would consider "Learning + Living" to be preferred result, as the Learning precedes -and- precludes the brush with death, however it is also the hardest to quantify as death is avoided by such a large margin that it would seem the subject was never in jeopardy to begin with.
