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If you asked the population if they would want immortality, the common answer wouldn't be "no".

fomine3 3y ago
Is it? https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/americans-live-forever-immortality-study-b1862042.html https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/americans-... https://www.newscientist.com/article/2179928-only-one-in-five-uk-adults-would-choose-to-live-forever-if-they-could/ https://www.newscientist.com/article/2179928-only-one-in-fiv...
- anonymouskimmer 3y ago
  You beat me because I was selecting quotes.
anonymouskimmer 3y ago
According to surveys your intuition is wrong. USA: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/americans-live-forever-immortality-study-b1862042.html https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/americans-... > Researchers from the university separated respondents into three groups, based on age. One group was younger people, between the ages of 18 and 29, another group of senior citizens whose average age was 72, and a third group made up of individuals whose average age was 88. 18 - 29: 34% Yes, 40% No, 26% unsure Average age 72: 32% Yes, 43% No, 25% unsure Average age 88: 24% Yes, 59% No, 17% unsure > Differences in responses emerged along gender lines as well, with more men saying they would take the pill than women. And ironically: > "If a life extension treatment were to become available that effectively stopped ageing, young adults may be likely to use such a treatment to avoid reaching the ages at which older cohorts say they would prefer to live forever," the study determined.
- jodrellblank 3y ago
  I wonder how many of those people who want immortality currently avoid smoking, drinking, drugs, air pollution, junk food, get long sleep every night and regular exercise - all those things that are much easier than immortality and can meaningfully increase the chances of adding one, two, three decades of quality life. And then avoid social media, clickbait, ragebait, idling, gossipping, and live in a deliberate and conscious way to make the best use of their time (best according to their own metrics). (Given that 66% of people are overweight, seeing 59% say they would like immortality suggests there's overlap. Not that I'm preaching, I don't do much of that stuff, and there is argument to want immortality to fritter away on enjoyments and relaxing and that maybe people are unhealthy because they are 'driving it like they stole it' for their limited time - but it's possible to play the finite lifetime cards we're dealt a lot better than than most of us do, without even getting to extremes and maximising things).
  - epups 3y ago
    Not sure this is equivalent. Those decades of life are usually worst ones, and merely doubling your lifespan with sacrifice is not equivalent to multiplying it indefinitely.
    - jodrellblank 3y ago
      Handwaving away 15-25% of your adult life with "usually the worst bit" doesn't sit well with me, neither does the "merely" in "merely doubling your lifespan". Y'know, given that "multiplying it indefinitely" is not actually an available option, whereas not dying at 72 from lung problems from a lifetime of smoking after several years of being nearly housebound then almost chairbound is an available option.

Is it? https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/americans-live-forever-immortality-study-b1862042.html https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/americans-... https://www.newscientist.com/article/2179928-only-one-in-five-uk-adults-would-choose-to-live-forever-if-they-could/ https://www.newscientist.com/article/2179928-only-one-in-fiv...

anonymouskimmer 3y ago
You beat me because I was selecting quotes.

anonymouskimmer 3y ago

According to surveys your intuition is wrong. USA: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/americans-live-forever-immortality-study-b1862042.html https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/americans-... > Researchers from the university separated respondents into three groups, based on age. One group was younger people, between the ages of 18 and 29, another group of senior citizens whose average age was 72, and a third group made up of individuals whose average age was 88. 18 - 29: 34% Yes, 40% No, 26% unsure Average age 72: 32% Yes, 43% No, 25% unsure Average age 88: 24% Yes, 59% No, 17% unsure > Differences in responses emerged along gender lines as well, with more men saying they would take the pill than women. And ironically: > "If a life extension treatment were to become available that effectively stopped ageing, young adults may be likely to use such a treatment to avoid reaching the ages at which older cohorts say they would prefer to live forever," the study determined.

jodrellblank 3y ago
I wonder how many of those people who want immortality currently avoid smoking, drinking, drugs, air pollution, junk food, get long sleep every night and regular exercise - all those things that are much easier than immortality and can meaningfully increase the chances of adding one, two, three decades of quality life. And then avoid social media, clickbait, ragebait, idling, gossipping, and live in a deliberate and conscious way to make the best use of their time (best according to their own metrics). (Given that 66% of people are overweight, seeing 59% say they would like immortality suggests there's overlap. Not that I'm preaching, I don't do much of that stuff, and there is argument to want immortality to fritter away on enjoyments and relaxing and that maybe people are unhealthy because they are 'driving it like they stole it' for their limited time - but it's possible to play the finite lifetime cards we're dealt a lot better than than most of us do, without even getting to extremes and maximising things).
- epups 3y ago
  Not sure this is equivalent. Those decades of life are usually worst ones, and merely doubling your lifespan with sacrifice is not equivalent to multiplying it indefinitely.
  - jodrellblank 3y ago
    Handwaving away 15-25% of your adult life with "usually the worst bit" doesn't sit well with me, neither does the "merely" in "merely doubling your lifespan". Y'know, given that "multiplying it indefinitely" is not actually an available option, whereas not dying at 72 from lung problems from a lifetime of smoking after several years of being nearly housebound then almost chairbound is an available option.