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Life expectancy only a few hundred years ago was about 40 years. Its about 78 years in the US currently. Human longevity is extremely difficult problem but ther
by 31reasons 13y ago
Life expectancy only a few hundred years ago was about 40 years. Its about 78 years in the US currently. Human longevity is extremely difficult problem but there is no physical law stating that you can't live up to 200 or 500 years. Biological science is advancing at an extremely rapid rate and its possible that we may see doubling of life expectancy in next 50 years.
- Dewie 13y agoHow much of that life expectancy 100 years ago were affected by child mortality? We haven't really doubled our longevity, we just took care of some things that lead to a lot more children reaching adulthood. The bulk of that might have been pretty simple, like better hygiene.
- dorfsmay 13y agoExactly, Socrates was 71 when he was put to death.
- mcguire 13y agoGiven the stochastic nature of a lifespan, I believe the statement, "We haven't really doubled our longevity, we just took care of some things that lead to a lot more [younger people] reaching [an older age]." is, and will remain, true.
- 31reasons 13y agoAre you suggesting modern medical science not helping people live longer by treating Cancer, Organ Transplants, Bypass surgeries etc ? I am seeing so much pessimism on HN , it seems unlikely that majority of people here are hackers.
- Dewie 13y agoI'm saying that the bulk of that increase in average lifespan was due to relatively simple advances in medicine/medical understanding.