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Perhaps because when we finally do conquer aging, it's going to cause societal disruption unseen since humanity's beginnings. Chances are good that you won't w

Perhaps because when we finally do conquer aging, it's going to cause societal disruption unseen since humanity's beginnings. Chances are good that you won't want to live through such a time. Think about it. It takes time and money to commoditize any new technology; wealthy early adopters are often required to help the technology evolve to the point where it's ready for the masses. Remember when only the "rich" had phones in their cars? And the way ordinary people would often snicker at the very idea of such an indulgence? Now imagine a time in which only the "rich" can live forever. Suddenly there's not so much snickering, as there is the sound of axes being sharpened.

sho 17y ago
Hm. I am not so sure about that. There are many societies around the world in which the rich live in near-obscene luxury while mere kilometres away the masses huddle in abject poverty, dying of curable illnesses, helpless and starving while their betters fly past in their Mercedes and helicopters. They do not rise up. I think the rule of law will prevail for the most part, and private security will make up the gaps. Whether this is just or injust is left for the reader to ponder but I don't think radical life extension for the rich will prompt revolution.
- nazgulnarsil 17y ago
  so...because you live farther away you don't think you're a member of this group? by sane metrics the person who makes $60k a year is fabulously wealthy.
  - sho 17y ago
    Well, relatively speaking a middle class living is privileged, sure. I wouldn't describe $60k/yr in a country like this as "fabulously wealthy", though, and doubt even an inhabitant of the Sao Paulo Favelas (whom I had in mind writing the above) would consider it as such. However, we have at least the opportunity to reach for the stars - or to continue in relative middle class comfort. They don't have this and yes, it is unfair. But what can we do? Is not the solution to raise the tide for all, rather than scuttle our own ships? There is no reason our planet, properly ordered, cannot provide all its inhabitants a comfortable, dignified, even prosperous stay. Would that I live to see it happen. Everything good comes from the middle classes. Multiply them and you multiply everything - technology, culture, progress. Expanding the middle class should be the goal of any technocrat with an eye to the future. Helping the poor isn't just altruism, it's self-interest too because while they suffer we cannot conspicuously splash money around on more useful things.

sho 17y ago

Hm. I am not so sure about that. There are many societies around the world in which the rich live in near-obscene luxury while mere kilometres away the masses huddle in abject poverty, dying of curable illnesses, helpless and starving while their betters fly past in their Mercedes and helicopters. They do not rise up. I think the rule of law will prevail for the most part, and private security will make up the gaps. Whether this is just or injust is left for the reader to ponder but I don't think radical life extension for the rich will prompt revolution.

nazgulnarsil 17y ago
so...because you live farther away you don't think you're a member of this group? by sane metrics the person who makes $60k a year is fabulously wealthy.
- sho 17y ago
  Well, relatively speaking a middle class living is privileged, sure. I wouldn't describe $60k/yr in a country like this as "fabulously wealthy", though, and doubt even an inhabitant of the Sao Paulo Favelas (whom I had in mind writing the above) would consider it as such. However, we have at least the opportunity to reach for the stars - or to continue in relative middle class comfort. They don't have this and yes, it is unfair. But what can we do? Is not the solution to raise the tide for all, rather than scuttle our own ships? There is no reason our planet, properly ordered, cannot provide all its inhabitants a comfortable, dignified, even prosperous stay. Would that I live to see it happen. Everything good comes from the middle classes. Multiply them and you multiply everything - technology, culture, progress. Expanding the middle class should be the goal of any technocrat with an eye to the future. Helping the poor isn't just altruism, it's self-interest too because while they suffer we cannot conspicuously splash money around on more useful things.