Live to the age of 1000

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Normally I would consider this a joke but the guy, who supports this theory, is professor at the University of Cambridge.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4003063.stm

 

Well, at least not in our lifetime Tal. Remember that once people thought that humans could never fly (that it was impossible) and various scientists were laughed at for their 'mad ideas' that were impossible (Albert Einstein for one).

What is often percieved as impossible today becomes plausible tomorrow and inevitable the next.

Also: here's hoping *crosses fingers*.

 

I've heard once that the human body is genetically predisposed to last 140 years but shorter lifespans are effected by environmental circumstances. Were this true, we should be able to reach that age after eliminating environmental problems. Anything more would have be an extension. However, there doesn't seem to be any reason to claim that renewal of cells is never going to be possible. But in such a short time? It sounds extremely improbable. Maybe not impossible, but not probable, either.

 

It's a fine balance between ageing and cancer. The whole purpose of ageing is to prevent development of cancer.

 

Ah yes, my 1000th birthday celebration - it seems like it was just last century.

But let me tell you - that Genghis Khan knows how to party!

 

Tell him a potential descendant said hi. Lol.

By the way, I didn't know you were in hell already, Grandpa Splunge.

 

Well we ARE in an age where genetics is becoming a field of science and I did say "at least not in our lifetime" since I can't percieve such an incredible boost in longevity (100 to 1000) when history has shown that we've been increasing at more or less a constant rate.

There is a quote in there about hoping that one of todays 60 year olds will live to 1000. I'd hate to be that guy, imagine living 940 years as a 60 year-old (they said they will be able to cure the aging process, not reverse it) old and bald.

Today it might just be some guys dream, a rather noble dream at that. But maybe in a few hundred years it might become a reality. Got to start working on it some time right?

 

Splunge, I remember that party. I was the featured belly dancer. You can't have forgotten me!

Seriously if I could live to a 1000 in good mental and physical shape would I want to? Probably. Assuming it is possible will it happen in my life time? I doubt it. Certainly not for the ordinary person. Would I volunteer to be a guinea pig? No.

 

Our DNA is replicated in such a way that the end pieces do not get reproduced; this leads to chromosome shortening, which will eventually lead to cell death. The theorists state that under ideal conditions the "maximum" lifespan would be around 120-130 years based on current models. Methinks this might be a touch low having seen some elderly in their 110's (albeit rarely) with vital stats that most 70-80 year olds would like to have.

 

No way would I want to live to 1000, even if I could stay in reasonable shape physically and mentally. It'd take the fun out of being alive, knowing that it won't last all that long and that you need to appreciate what you have while it's there.

(for those who are wondering, yes, I got older recently and being in the 25-35 age bracket is scaring me slightly)

Can you imagine what would it be like having to work for around 800 years, or to have to put up with centuries, not decades, of the same bastard politicians in office? The people above you would never retire, so you'd be stuck in a crummy job for a century at a time. Rupert Murdoch would be running FOX for at least another 600 years. You'd start feeling old when your great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren started getting married - and can you imagine catering for the whole family at weddings, parties and occasional funerals? Conservatives (and any other non-progressives) would have to be classified by XXth-century values, and people in fashion would start saying "oh, that is so three hundred years ago" but mean it in a negative way. The craziness will never cease!

Of course, if my existence was taxpayer-funded, I could probably stomach it...

 

This sounds like that Raelian crap. He kinda looks like that guy too. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

As long as there is sex, alcohol, and tobacco there will always be shorter life spans. Without those things, a long life really wouldn't be worth living (except tobacco -- I can live without tobacco).

 

You know NonSequitur, I never quite thought about it that way. I mean, when you think like that, eventually the galaxy would be filled to the brim.

Wow. I don't think that I really have an opinion about that. I'm just not quite sure.

 

Only as long as there are STDs. If there are no STDs, there will be no dangerous things left with sex.

 

All the cancer treatments and check-ups, organ transplantations (how many livers would you need? ) would be a hassle.

 

Then again, without sex, alcohol, and tobacco, what would be the point of a longer life span?

 

Living for 1000 years? Good lord man... that would get boring real quick. Some people want to live forever, but forever is a really long time. At that point nothing will ever be new to you. It all be just be the same ol' same ol'.

I'm quite satisfied with the current 80 - 100 year lifespan. If our lifespan is to going be extended I'd only want it extended to 200 years: short enough to appreciate what we've accomplshed in our lifetime and long enough to actually accomplish it (well... we'll have a better chance of it anyways).

Though I do have to admit... it would suck working for an a**hole for about 80 years. At least college will seem like a shorter part of my life - particularly for those of us who intend to get Ph. D's - I want to enjoy the benefits of whatever I went to college for for a longer time. I'd also like to be able to party for a longer portion of my life than simply the first 20 - 25 years (in which case I'm most likely going to settle down afterwards). With a 200 year lifespan I could party until I'm 40 or 60! Heck, why not 80? My life won't begin until I'm 80!

 

Were I offered a life of 1000 or more years I would accept. With absolutely no hesitation. Life is way too short. Having spent around a third of my time already I know how true that phrase is. Believe me... 30 years are not that much, nor do they feel like much in hindsight. Years are getting ever shorter with time. And no matter how young one feels inside - ones body doesnt care for that. Neither does society which will constantly remind you of your age (see Jag/Splunge ) and try to put the oldies in their conceived proper place.

I could do without that.

I also doubt it would get boring, or repetetive. Our world is rich enough, culturally and in a hedonistic sense, to offer entertainment for a long time. I for one wouldnt complain being able to explore other cultures and do party for a few more centuries.

Perhaps the treatment involved would only be available for people living in the more developed nations at first. Fitting, if you ask me. The developed nations are the ones with the demographic decline. I am so sick of hearing how Europe is a dying civilization. Rather I would have it preserved. A prolonged life will off-set the lack of children. Relieve would be offered were it is most needed.

Many other things would change too. The way people care for enviromental issues. Who would want to spent millenia on a ravaged planet devoid of natural beauty? I think we would see how hypocrisy turns into serious intentions.

Were the pressure of death taken from us it would also serve our mentality. We would surely become a more realxed, laid-back and balanced spezies.

All in all I say curing age would be a blessing. Personlly I dont care whether or not its probable: The thought alone is very pleasing. A nice dream.
And who am I to call a prof from Cambridge a phantast anyway.