Yesterday, Rainbough Phillips (talk about a porn-stage name) over at Catallarchy asks readers if they would like to ultimately live forever. He then cites a Timescale presented by Dr. Aubrey de Grey which discusses several plausible outlooks into the future.
As you can tell from my own comment at the Catallarchy thread, I disagree with the opinion that in order for humanity to progress, you must die. One of the commentors, Fred, has a decidedly Hobbesian view of this longevity matter, which is taken to the extreme in the 1976 film classic, Logan’s Run - starring Michael York (this movie is without a doubt, godawful). The plot of the movie involves massive organized euthanasia on a world-wide scale - no one is allowed to live past the age of 30 (technically this could be called “genocide” as a certain demographic group is targeted for extermination).
Anyways, extending life to hundreds of years or more is not a theoretical pipe dream. In addition to increasing the standard of living, the industrialized world has managed to sustain and nearly double the life expectancy of millions of people over the course of just two hundred years. Granted it does take some imagination to ponder with, but it is not a Quixotic fairy tale that requires wishing wells or shooting stars. Barring a nuclear war or total regulation via the State, increased vitality can and will continue to advance in your lifetime.
Don’t believe me? Read this Wired Magazine article which investigates the endeavors of enterprising billionaire John Sperling, who is investing much of his own fortune developing technologies, medicines and therapies so that you and I can live longer, healthier and even happier.
To critics of prolonging and enhancing life, although there may be some unconventional methods of doing so, I second Julian’s motion that you should lead by example. Stop exercising, refrain from eating at Subway and above all else, cannibalize yourself.
