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re: Modern medicine has extended human lifespans far beyond their design
Posted on 7/20/19 at 10:00 pm to udtiger
Posted on 7/20/19 at 10:00 pm to udtiger
Unfortunately life is very short. You're at your peak as a man between ages 25-35. After that it all goes to shite. And not just your physical peak, but your mental peak occurs then too. Your brain begins degrading just as your muscles and bones.
All the great geniuses do their best work in their 20's or 30's. Einstein did relativity at age 26. Newton did his best work in his 20's. There are a few who did good work in their 40's and 50's, but it's far more rare. I suppose one exception is Immanuel Kant who published his groundbreaking "Critiques" in his 70's. However, he had already been working on it for decades, and only published in old age.
Indeed Einstein even said it:
But it seems things have changed since then. It is rare to see a single genius do anything in the sciences nowadays. The average age for Nobels in physics is in the late 40's. And these typically aren't single individuals, but teams of people. Modern Nobel level work require teams of dozens, if not hundreds of people, often times.
My point is I agree in a sense with the OP. Even though we live longer, is it worth it if our brains turn to mush? We need to consider ways to counteract neuro-degenerative processes.
All the great geniuses do their best work in their 20's or 30's. Einstein did relativity at age 26. Newton did his best work in his 20's. There are a few who did good work in their 40's and 50's, but it's far more rare. I suppose one exception is Immanuel Kant who published his groundbreaking "Critiques" in his 70's. However, he had already been working on it for decades, and only published in old age.
Indeed Einstein even said it:
quote:
"A person who has not made his great contribution to science before the age of 30 will never do so."
But it seems things have changed since then. It is rare to see a single genius do anything in the sciences nowadays. The average age for Nobels in physics is in the late 40's. And these typically aren't single individuals, but teams of people. Modern Nobel level work require teams of dozens, if not hundreds of people, often times.
My point is I agree in a sense with the OP. Even though we live longer, is it worth it if our brains turn to mush? We need to consider ways to counteract neuro-degenerative processes.
0
Posted on 7/20/19 at 10:06 pm to udtiger
Living so long that I’m miserable is the absolute last thing on my list of fears. I can always off myself if I’m tired of things. And if my brain is gone? Then I’m probably not going to have enough awareness to be miserable.
This is just something young people like to talk about and pretend to be deep. Old people usually aren’t in a rush to die.
This is just something young people like to talk about and pretend to be deep. Old people usually aren’t in a rush to die.
Posted on 7/20/19 at 10:08 pm to aTmTexas Dillo
quote:
So I went to my PCP last week and with a total cholesterol of 145, he said I needed to get my LDL below 70 (need to switch to Crestor). I'm 77. He said the newest study indicates lowest LDL is better. I'm in my early 60s and I asked sorta frustrated actually; so what's the plan here?
I don’t understand what you’re saying here.
Posted on 7/21/19 at 1:05 am to biglego
So sorry. My LDL cholesterol was 77. I am 63. Very, very sorry. If I was handing this prose in to a college professor I would have proofed it. But on the Rant, and so many years past formal education, my skills have slipped. 
The moral of my story aligns with the post. Yes, modern medicine has extended lifespans far beyond their design. And I think going out with the big one is preferable to wasting away with Alzheimers with low LDL cholesterol.
The moral of my story aligns with the post. Yes, modern medicine has extended lifespans far beyond their design. And I think going out with the big one is preferable to wasting away with Alzheimers with low LDL cholesterol.
This post was edited on 7/21/19 at 1:08 am
Posted on 7/21/19 at 1:50 am to aTmTexas Dillo
On second thought, I should’ve been able to figure out that 77 was your LDL by context.
Posted on 7/21/19 at 1:59 am to udtiger
TFW you realize there’s no such thing as “design” in Mother Nature outside of whether you can reproduce and for literally everything else you’re on your own so frick it make the best of it
Posted on 7/21/19 at 7:25 am to udtiger
Ultimately, a species’ telemeres determines its life expectancy. Its environment determines a species’ lifespan.
The longest documented lifespan of a human is 122 years.
To maximize one’s own lifespan, three factors are most important:
1. Have a positive attitude. Very few negative people reach old age. You have the most control over this factor.
2. Be relatively free of disease. The effects of diseases are cumulative. Avoid sick people and get every vaccination that’s available. You have some control over this one.
3. Luck. You can’t control the actions of others. For example, you stop at an intersection and then begin to pull through when the light turns green. A distracted driver doesn’t see that he has a red light and T-bones you.
Don’t worry. Be happy.
The longest documented lifespan of a human is 122 years.
To maximize one’s own lifespan, three factors are most important:
1. Have a positive attitude. Very few negative people reach old age. You have the most control over this factor.
2. Be relatively free of disease. The effects of diseases are cumulative. Avoid sick people and get every vaccination that’s available. You have some control over this one.
3. Luck. You can’t control the actions of others. For example, you stop at an intersection and then begin to pull through when the light turns green. A distracted driver doesn’t see that he has a red light and T-bones you.
Don’t worry. Be happy.
Posted on 7/21/19 at 7:33 am to Kentucker
Cancer is the key. If there was a cure for cancer, life expectancy would greatly increase. Other early killers such as heart disease, though genetic in certain cases, can for the most part be avoided through proper diet and exercise. With cancer, you can do everything right and still get it.
Posted on 7/21/19 at 7:41 am to Allthatfades
Right. Cancer is in the luck category, although living a healthy lifestyle can decrease the chances of getting some types such as lung cancer.
Posted on 7/21/19 at 8:20 am to udtiger
My grandma is 85. She works four days a week, drives herself around like a normal person, and is as active as someone in their 50s. She rode a bike last week to prove that she could still do it. She's on no meds and doesn't have any old people ailments. Exception ftmfw
Posted on 7/21/19 at 8:57 am to udtiger
Thinly veiled support for killing elderly people.
Posted on 7/21/19 at 9:06 am to Tempratt
quote:
Thinly veiled support for killing elderly people
"Logan's Run" at 45?
No. I don't support killing old people. Three of my grandparents lived into their late 70s/early 80s and both my and my wife's parents are all in their 80s. Of the parents, three fall into the second category and the other into the first.
I am not advocating for anything. It's an observation that I suppose in some way is seeking a solution.
I certainly get how the species has arrived to this point
Reduction in infant mortality
Vaccination/immunization eradicating a lot of disease
Better hygiene
Better diet (for the most parrt)
And I would add
No world wars, major regional wars
But I stand by the point that even with all that, the vast majority of elderly are falling in one of the two categories I described and are more existing than living.
This post was edited on 7/21/19 at 9:08 am
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