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Perspective is relative, my friend. Your mind, then, will be very different than it is now. For that matter, unless you are a true believer in an afterlife, f

Perspective is relative, my friend. Your mind, then, will be very different than it is now. For that matter, unless you are a true believer in an afterlife, for most of us, every day above ground beats the alternative.

_delirium 16y ago
Definitely don't agree with the last point, if it isn't accompanied by a minimum of mental awareness and quality of life. Certainly the (thankfully, few) elderly people I've known who died after a long, drawn out decline were quite unhappy about it. My grandfather lived 10 years past going blind, breaking his hip, and going increasingly senile, and spent about the last five years of that time constantly asking why God wasn't letting him go when it was his time to go. Doesn't sound appealing to me. I think everyone I know over 65 has given whatever do-not-resuscitate/no-life-support/etc. directives they can, and would give more if it were allowed. The single most common fear I've heard people of that age express is not a fear of dying, but a fear of living too long past the point where their health runs out.
- orangecat 16y ago
  Right. This is why curing aging is just about the best thing we could do from both an economic and humanitarian perspective.
- sleight42 16y ago
  Look at facts. The vast majority of the elderly die of their health and not suicide. Annecdotally, my grandfather, 102 years old, is a bit senile at this point yet still chases women, sings whenever he likes, and is generally an upbeat fellow. My wife has late stage Huntington's Disease and yet still enjoys simple pleasures. I share a dread future with my wife yet I am still here as well. Happiness can be found in the most desperate of conditions. Despite DNRs and such, there are many and simple ways to end our own lives. And, yet, the vast majority live them to the end. Take this conversation, set it aside for 20 years, then tell me how you feel. I suspect the combination of marriage and children will change your outlook.

_delirium 16y ago

Definitely don't agree with the last point, if it isn't accompanied by a minimum of mental awareness and quality of life. Certainly the (thankfully, few) elderly people I've known who died after a long, drawn out decline were quite unhappy about it. My grandfather lived 10 years past going blind, breaking his hip, and going increasingly senile, and spent about the last five years of that time constantly asking why God wasn't letting him go when it was his time to go. Doesn't sound appealing to me. I think everyone I know over 65 has given whatever do-not-resuscitate/no-life-support/etc. directives they can, and would give more if it were allowed. The single most common fear I've heard people of that age express is not a fear of dying, but a fear of living too long past the point where their health runs out.

orangecat 16y ago
Right. This is why curing aging is just about the best thing we could do from both an economic and humanitarian perspective.
sleight42 16y ago
Look at facts. The vast majority of the elderly die of their health and not suicide. Annecdotally, my grandfather, 102 years old, is a bit senile at this point yet still chases women, sings whenever he likes, and is generally an upbeat fellow. My wife has late stage Huntington's Disease and yet still enjoys simple pleasures. I share a dread future with my wife yet I am still here as well. Happiness can be found in the most desperate of conditions. Despite DNRs and such, there are many and simple ways to end our own lives. And, yet, the vast majority live them to the end. Take this conversation, set it aside for 20 years, then tell me how you feel. I suspect the combination of marriage and children will change your outlook.