Wednesday, July 6, 2011

The Whole Point of Longevity

Scientist sees aging cured
Have you ever had the experience when you were looking for the best heart surgeon or best psychologist or therapist of one kind or another and you asked about them and were told, "Oh. They retired or worse
'They died'. Longevity is for times like these. If you are really good at something many times people (like my cousin who is a lawyer aren't interested in retiring until it seems like a good idea)(which might mean one might never retire unless they had to for health reasons. I have noticed the people in my family incluiding in laws that did the best in life stayed running some kind of business, doing some kind of job even if it were just taking care of their adult kids and grandkids so they stayed out of one kind of trouble or another. When anyone has survived to be 40, 50 or more oftentimes they are very very wise people. And because of what they have already learned or are about to learn are continuing to be priceless people for the human race. The point of longevity is to give back to all your family and friends for the wonderful life those who came before have given to you. In this way we pass down to the next generation and the next and the next all that is best about the human race.

So, when scientists like Ray Kurweil or Aubrey de Grey's say that some people living now will likely live to 150 to 1000 years of age it is important to take them seriously. Yes. What aging is would have to be redefined but the value to society outweighs any negatives that might occur. At first people might not want to talk about the fact that they are 100 years or more old and in perfect health much like a 30 to 35 year old now. But over time enough people who have learned how to do it to perfection or near perfection will teach us all how it's done. Some will choose to live on some will not.

I find that among people just like animals that natural selection is at work. Some people choose to check out in all sorts of ways along the way anyway (some by choice and others by accident) so this is nothing new. What is new is the coming capacity to live longer and longer, especially in the western world where there is better medicine than in most places. Some might ask is it fair that some live long while others don't but this question is pointless and has been asked by people since the dawn of time because it has always been this way. I think if people are useful both to themselves and others they should live on if they choose as long as they possibly can. But it has to be each person choosing this otherwise this whole thing doesn't work. As long as each person chooses just how long he or she lives then it all works out.

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