"Lifespans will increase exponentially and eventually be measured in tens of thousands of years."
Terrence, I really believe that the human lifespan, although we may be able to lengthen it a little at the end, is finite. Perhaps it can be extended by really replacing most of our parts with machines as they wear out, but what about quality of life issues? I think each stage of the life also presents unique configurations of factors that create spiritual (NOT religious) growth, ending in the higher states of wisdom and acceptance, hopefully!!!
I know now that that old cliche, "youth is wasted on the young" is certainly true, and I also believe that much of what I consider the richness of experience in middle age is because I am fully aware that I AM aging rapidly, and may not pass this way again (to put it very unoriginally). Even small attempts to thwart the aging process, like this totally bizarre thing now where many women over the age of 35 will never really know their own haircolor because it is kept dyed until they die, are acts of denial and somehow cause us to elude central truths (in my humble opinion).
I am not saying this very eloquently, but I believe that inherent in each small physical change as we age, there is the seed of a spiritual lesson of some sort. This is not to say that we should not eat healthy food, live moderately, and keep up our appearances. It's just that I suspect the aging process is a gift in some ways.
What do you think?
And incidentally, where are we going to put all the people if we all live tens of thousands of year? Not even space seems large enough!! |
