The continual rises in human life expectancy now suggest there is no maximum lifespan, and research, for example into stem cells, free radicals, and even social status, is suggesting how we can reduce the number of avoidable deaths. There's also plenty of advice on how you can maximise your own lifespan.
But if we could all live into the hundreds and even beyond, what sort of world would it be? Initially it could be difficult - as life spans increase, we may be exposing ourselves to a rather bleak future in which we all spend a large proportion of our lives old and ill. And even if we conquer ageing as well, we will have some heart-wrenching moral dilemmas to face as the planet becomes progressively more overcrowded. There is a way out, though. Ifsome futurists have their way, death will be replaced by uploading ourselves onto computers
. That will solve the overcrowding problem, no doubt, but expect a run on computer memory.
. That will solve the overcrowding problem, no doubt, but expect a run on computer memory.Perhaps it is only taxes that are certain after all.
No comments:
Post a Comment