Thanks to medical and technological advances, the prospect of radical longevity is no longer science fiction. We’re moving beyond merely extending the years we have to actively trying to extend the years we live well. This brings up a critical question: If anti-aging technologies, advanced genetics, or personalized medicine could realistically help you live far beyond the current average lifespan—say, to 120 years—would you take that opportunity?
For many, the idea of an extra 30 or 40 years of healthy, vibrant life is an unqualified good. Imagine the additional time for relationships, learning new skills, or simply watching more generations grow. Furthermore, a longer lifespan would give professionals, artists, and innovators decades more time to contribute to society, potentially solving the very problems (like climate change or disease) that threaten human civilization. Longevity isn’t just about extending life; it’s about extending the potential for human achievement.
No science fiction? To me, these prospects are just pipe dreams since up to now there hasn’t been a single real example of what that longer life will look like. Not even the richest people on earth can buy themselves an extended life. I doubt that the quality of life can be extended for everyone to 120 years in the foreseeable future. The point that only so-called creative people would benefit from it is questionable as is the expectation that they would have their best ideas aged 90 and beyond. What examples could be given of people with outstanding achievements in old age that would support such an assumption?
Such prospects would also raise a variety of other controversial questions that would have to be addressed.
Perhaps extending life beyond your normal expectancy might sound attractive to some, but what about the loved ones all around you? They would have to have their lives extended too or else you might find yourself alone or with just the younger generation for company… .
Personally this world is turning to sh$te and is getting to be a big disappointment these days, and when my natural time is up, I’ll be glad to get out of here…
I suspect only a few in a few countries would be able to afford it.While the rest of the world starves and struggles to live any sort of reasonable life as usual.
I have to agree with you. I am fortunate to retire with a good lifestyle but I seriously douibt it
would exist to my 121 birthdays. The pain, oh the think of 30 40 years of the pain. Let it end!
No way I trust science and medical pricks covering my backside.
The internet announces an amazing discovery on the internet every day!
At this rate everyone will have it made, Think about 10 Billion humans having it made tomorrow sometime?
I cannot even begin to realize all the devil’s stuff, that is ahead when no one has to do anything and still have it made. Uh the pain!
A law enforcement officer at a meeting once said, “I deal with what the Mind does, not why it did it!”
But I sort of see it with elected officials now.
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