http://io9.com/scientists-develop-an-elixir-that-reverses-a-known-ca-1487149703 With science and technology evolving so fast, I really think its going to happen withing the next 30, 40 years. Hopefully we'll live to see it and make use of, screw dying
and screw having babies too... because if people don't die to make way for the next generation there will be no space left.
not having babies? or not having space? the urge to reproduce is incredibly strong. It would be interesting to see a society where you had a choice of kids or longevity - and to see which people chose. A bit like in the 80s where a woman could have a career or a family but not both (for that matter, not much has changed)
I have always believed (hoped?) that aging is a disease that can be cured, eventually. And, if that happens, I am not worried about any potential social or economic or environmental catastrophies. Humans are an inventive and creative lot and solutions can always be found.
Imagine the debts that a person would accumulate in 200 years? You think some people are cranky at 80? Just think how miserable they would be at 200! Socialized health care would collapse, but just in case it all happens....best start building the seniors homes now. By the way, who will pay for it all?...... (maybe your taxes will go up a tad?)
Actually, if they do cure the disease of aging, the concept is that everyone would go back to having the bodies/health of a young adult. In addition to the link above, there was another study with a drug that affected the telomeres of mice DNA and the scientists were able to unnaturally age laboratory rats and then bring them back to their original youth, body-wise. So, people would have less reason to be cranky at age 150 and everyone would remain capable of being productive, etc.
A bit like the Elves in Lord of the Rings? Imagine the problems it would cause with dating... you see someone hot in a bar and go and chat them up, until you realise they are old enough to be your great grandmother... yuk!
And maybe acquaint you with his/her savings accounts that have been accumulating principal and interest for 100+ years. S/he could likely afford some very expensive cocoa mix and yarn...
The average life expectancy would probably go down due to overwhelming stress. Suicide rates would shoot up and more companies would go bust for being stupid enough to repeatedly lend to morons they know can't repay.
People may just simply smoke, drug and drink the hell everyone under the table from all that stress. Hey, y-not!?
i'd rather see myself in 200's with wrinkles or not. what i would like to see is how would the technology will evolve more in the future. time travel machine? maybe . . .
So you're saying that just because of more age people would have more debt? What do you base that on?
Uhmm people who probably need to loan for some life reason? =/ Not everyone can afford something you know and if people age up to 200, means more time for them to borrow money and collect debts. I'm 26 and paying 5 years for my car to complete. 5 years of debt on 1 item. Of course that's not the only thing i need in life. In which if people do live for 200 years, there will be offers probably to even have my debts higher and its not optional to say no. Unless someone in this world doesn't need a car for everyday use? Yeah right
Yet they can also keep on paying it off at more or less the same rate, so what would the change here be? Might even be a bit less as you could e.g., live in the same house for longer period of time since you won't just die off. I, for one, don't. I have a cheap ass motorbike (something along the lines of 800 USD IIRC) that I bought few years back. Wouldn't hurt to get a brand new one, but haven't seen the need yet. Whenever I need a car, I rent one.