Happy 150th birthday: a new era looms for old age

Reuters ^ | Mar 15, 2006 | Ben Hirschler

[Constantine XIII]

I don't doubt that it's possible to live to very old ages, but I don't think the answer is dietary. That's an awfully low tech, simple solution. One that someone would have mastered and continued to use until today.

[orionblamblam]

More likely: a slight bit of exageration.

"I'm 900 years old. Yeah, that's the ticket!"

[ClearCase_guy]

Much truth in what you say. I had a professor in the 70's point that out. His speciality was Demographics and he was quite a number cruncher. He said it's all about infant mortality.

You know, the last surviving soldier of the American Civil War died, I believe, in 1959. Some folks have always lived a long time. But in general, if you survive your first few years, you will likely live to see 70. I think that's been true for a long time.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Now we will be retired longer than our careers?

Especially as birth-rates fall in Western Europe and the rst of the developed world, life extension becomes more and more important. The point of all this isn't to live like a retiree for an additional 50 years - it's to live a productive, energetic, youthful life for an additional 50 years.

Social Security and other age-based benefits programs already need to be adjusted to current reality - 67 is not that old. The age limit for government benefits will need to be constantly adjusted upward as the human lifespan increases.

Should be some amazing advances in human longevity this century, along with resultant religious, economic and social implications. Interesting time to be alive.

[martin_fierro]

[freepertoo]

I KNOW I don't want to live that long!

[absolootezer0]

That's an awfully low tech, simple solution. One that someone would have mastered and continued to use until today.

not neccesarily. if you're dealing with extreme primitive cultures, they probably wouldn't see any sort of relationship between the two. but if you think about it, look at the difference in diets between us and primitive man.. how many different chemicals do we take in with every bite of everything? how many chemicals (medicines) have been injected into you? everything that we've taken in may have shortened life span, altho it has improved quality of life (health wise).

[LambSlave]

Here is a table of the data, but keep in mind that this is just the mean life expectancy, with no mention of variance or any bounds on sampling or other errors. To the layman, this means that although the table might say that in 1950 the sixty year old could expect to live 15 years, it might have actually been ten years or it might actually be twenty... this depends on factors not included in the table.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

ROFLMAO
How did you get that photo of me?:)

[Ohioan from Florida]

Rest assured that the proponents of euthanasia will do everything they can to convince more people that life in old age is not worth living, and that one will be such a drain on society if one lives this long.

[Grendel9]

ONe of the key factors is the individual's
gene pool. My dad lived to 93 in great health
before failing near the end. Grandparents on
my Mom's side lived well past their 80's too.
No prescriptions or pills to swallow in this
house. And could never remember to take
vitamin tablets. I was raised to get my
essentials from the food on the table.
The wife and I still have a salad and veggies
every night. Not as much meat as we used to
ingest, but we're both retired and don't
need as much protein. Always claimed I want
"to die healthy!" That's been my goal for decades
and I'm well on my way. To date have never made
a Medicare claim either. The old saying about
life being good if you have your health is true.
And an active mind is necessary to achieve old age.

[stuartcr]

So where will all these jobs exist? Especially the ones that will hire 75yo?

[fizziwig]

LOL....Good one!

[Tanniker Smith]

1,000 years old and still nothing on TV.

[Constantine XIII]

That active mind part is absolutely true.

Ever hear the one about the guy who wanted to live forever? When one of his friends asked him about how he planned to do it, he said, "I'm not sure, but so far, so good."

[AnotherUnixGeek]

So where will all these jobs exist?

The same place they exist for younger workers. When a knowledgeable, experienced worker retires in a declining population (as is the case in much of Western Europe), who takes his place? Someone less qualified, and perhaps no one. Extending human life is the only way to keep that valuable knowledge and experience contributing to the economy and to society.

Especially the ones that will hire 75yo?

Age based discrimination in employment should be illegal.

[stuartcr]

Who will hire the young and inexperienced?

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Who will hire the young and inexperienced?

Companies that want to grow, same as now.

[stuartcr]

You really believe that there are enough jobs, to support all those people from 20yo to 80yo?