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This is the Conversation Forum for Talking Point: Evolution and the Human Body << Females & sex Musculature atrophy >> Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 6, 2003 by quizzical   Posting 1 I'd be happy if we could triple or quadruple our lifespans (along with improving our backs and joints and such). It seems like we're just getting the hang of this being human business and and life is getting good and then - poof! - we're outta here. Five hundred years isn't enough to learn about all the neat stuff out there and to do all the neat stuff I'd like to do. And in my more cynical moments, I would hope that longer lifespans would encourage more long-range thinking. Maybe we'd be less likely to muck up the planet if we knew we'd be here to deal with the consequences, rather than leave the mess to our progeny. Oh, and more brains all around... Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 6, 2003 by Decaf Silicon This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 2 200 years is the figure often bandied about. Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 6, 2003 by CMaster This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 3 We've gotta make the brains last longer to though. Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 7, 2003 by quizzical This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 4 Too true. I can't imagine trying to keep track of a few hundred years' worth of memories with the brain cells I've got. It's hard enough to keep track of the car keys, sometimes... Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 9, 2003 by friendlywithteeth This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 5 But is it really good for us to live any longer than we do? Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 9, 2003 by sithkael This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 6 Not only would we have to cure the issues that tend to come with old age (arthritis and such) we would need to develop a much better attitude towards birth control. The planet is already reaching overpopulation, if everybody lived 200 years or more can you imagine the overcrowding that would result? Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 9, 2003 by friendlywithteeth This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 7 Indeed! Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 9, 2003 by sithkael This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 8 This thread just brought to mind a novella that someone gave me-- Outnumbering the Dead by Frederik Pohl. The implications are frightening to say the least. Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 9, 2003 by friendlywithteeth This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 9 I'll have to look at that one... Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 11, 2003 by embertine This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 10 Humans bad.... immortal humans worse. Bring back the slow loris! Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 11, 2003 by Decaf Silicon This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 11 Overcrowding leads to a higher death rate, which brings the population again to a manageable level. Also, figure in the gain or loss of QUALITY of life. If we live until 200, but we still become an economic liability (though all will agree that this does not negate the high value of our lives whatsoever), then the strain will be worse than one of simple overpopulation. Think, for example, about social security and such programs. And will Denny's drop the Senior Menu? Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 11, 2003 by Decaf Silicon This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 12 Anyone have old earth / young earth figures for the dead-to-living ratio? Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 12, 2003 by friendlywithteeth This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 13 In 2050 [methinks], more people will be alive than have ever lived. Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 13, 2003 by Decaf Silicon This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 14 According to the old earth belief or young earth belief? According to old forecasts or early '00s forecasts with new theories and data taken into account? Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 14, 2003 by friendlywithteeth This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 15 I don't know of the beliefs that you speak of... But with current data, and the DTM taken into account, that is their prediction. Read the First Reply to this Posting Subject: Longevity Posted Feb 16, 2003 by Decaf Silicon This is a reply to this Posting   Posting 16 Old earth is the view taken by evolutionists. Creation scientists (a small but intelligent faction) hold that the earth is only 10,000 or so years old. They also believe that on the sixth day of the world's existence, the population began with two individuals capable of conception. The rest is in the Christian Bible, book of Genesis. That's young earth theory. I assume that everyone is acquainted with old earth. Conversation list Most of the content on h2g2 is created by h2g2's Researchers, who are members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site's House Rules, please click on the relevant button to alert our Moderation Team. 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