Our desire to be immortal beings has been with us throughout recorded history, and probably long before. It pervades religious premises, piques philosophical debate and prods science and medical research. Currently there are several scientists as well as philosophers who believe immortality might be possible within decades. Just think of it! In thirty years we might live forever! That would mean that most of the current baby boomers will all be in their nineties and living, well, perhaps you could call it living ,or maybe mindless existing, in nursing homes. And if we live forever, we will have the equivalent of four or five large states filled with nursing home patients. . . forever! Because the reality is that there is no evidence that dementia will be conquered within that same time frame.
Who is going to support this industry? While I am sure that the reality of living forever will not take place in thirty years, scientists and the medical machine have brought about unbelievable progress in extending life. Transplants, grafts, stem cell research, eugenics, and a constant assault of new immunizations lull us into believing that longevity is now a right and even more, an entitlement. Millions now believe it is the responsibility of our government to insure that we will live and that our living will be financed by a government program. Our country is already collapsing under the gigantic burden of entitlements, socialized pensions and health care costs. Our country is already bankrupt. Many of us will live into our eighties and the truth is that over half of us will lose our minds to a form of dementia. We will not be able to give even a garbled answer. Old age and dementia have always been partners. We cannot leave the solution to our children!
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The idea of living forever is sort of terrifying, isn't it? "Tuck Everlasting" struck that home to me early in life. And you are right - - the medical advances that increase our average life span don't seem to extend to increasing our average quality of life. Great and thought-provoking post!! Your sidebar is really looking great, by the way!
ReplyDeleteEEEk! Now if I can live to be 80 (almost 81) and have the quality of independent life my mom has....sure. My dad passed away in his sleep at 75....right when the dementia of Alz was becoming VERY evident...I do not want that. I look forward to the afterlife in glory....when I am OLD and it is my time.
ReplyDeleteBTW I love your book shelf! great idea I may steal. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly a scary thought to think we could live forever! I mean if this were possible our whole outlook on life would change, plus what would we do in regards to having children? Would we have to ban birth to avoid over population? I'm not so sure we should be messing around with nature like this, as I fear the outcome. I mean mother nature usually finds a way to fight back.
ReplyDeleteWhat a conundrum. Not only are the advancements in quality of life not keeping up with just "living longer", but then insurance enters it's head into the equation and it's even more confusing. I'm curious how other developed countries are handling their elderly... Perplexing issue, keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteThe book shelf is EXCELLENT! Nice addition.