Live data from Hacker News

Humans Could Live up to 150 Years, New Research Suggests

scientificamerican.com

61–70 of 167 posts

Re: Humans Could Live up to 150 Years, New Research Suggests

#61
post #2

That's why the fundamental solution to both the ageing problem and space exploration is not biological. Humans are fundamentally adapted to live/reproduce on the oxidizing and wet environment on Earth. Rather than bring out a mini Earth environ each time we go to space, we should start thinking about how we can just bring out our mind. It would be much more sustainable in the long run, maybe even on Earth itself.

We are fundamentally adapted to the African savanna.

Expanding beyond that lush environment needed technology. Even flintstone and animal hides are a technology.

Expanding to space needs better technology, but the first step was done when some of our ape-like ancestors bashed an antelope's skull with a rock.

Re: Humans Could Live up to 150 Years, New Research Suggests

#62
post #36

Seems cool, not sure if I want a bunch of 150 year olds voting (relatively, that would be like people born in 1870 voting today, 5 years after slavery ended).

This is dismissive of gained wisdom over time, and probably the most unapologetic generalization about a group I’ve read recently. My guess is having lots of older voters would make it so people stop falling for the same scams over and over, and are less prone to hysteria. If that were the case, governance should improve dramatically.

> My guess is having lots of older voters would make it so people stop falling for the same scams over and over, and are less prone to hysteria.

A major part of Fox News’ business model is built around creating FUD amongst senior citizens. They seem to be very successful at it.

Re: Humans Could Live up to 150 Years, New Research Suggests

#63
post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is dismissive of gained wisdom over time, and probably the most unapologetic generalization about a group I’ve read recently. My guess is having lots of older voters would make it so people stop falling for the same scams over and over, and are less prone to hysteria. If that were the case, governance should improve dramatically.

> My guess is having lots of older voters would make it so people stop falling for the same scams over and over, and are less prone to hysteria. A major part of Fox News’ business model is built around creating FUD amongst senior citizens. They seem to be very successful at it.

I don't think age has anything to do with it, and Fox News has plenty of younger viewers as well.

I think education, ideology, and sensationalism have more (everything?) to do with it.

Re: Humans Could Live up to 150 Years, New Research Suggests

#65
post #36

Seems cool, not sure if I want a bunch of 150 year olds voting (relatively, that would be like people born in 1870 voting today, 5 years after slavery ended).

This is dismissive of gained wisdom over time, and probably the most unapologetic generalization about a group I’ve read recently. My guess is having lots of older voters would make it so people stop falling for the same scams over and over, and are less prone to hysteria. If that were the case, governance should improve dramatically.

Have you heard the phrase “science advances one death at a time”?

Older people — not all of them, there are many exceptions, but as a group — are more rigid in their thinking and less open to new ideas. Some of this is due to acquired wisdom, but it is also due to decreased ability to imagine the world any other way.

Re: Humans Could Live up to 150 Years, New Research Suggests

#66
post #38
post #11

Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” -Genesis 6:3

Is that created universe in 6 "days" time or modern calendar time?

These are 'God Days' which are special days used to make our equations line up. They have not been observed directly but most experts think that God Days are abundant in the universe and that they have had a strong influence on its structure and evolution.

Re: Humans Could Live up to 150 Years, New Research Suggests

#67
post #25
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

120 years would be a great start. Imagine the world 120 years ago in 1900. The airplane hadn’t been invented. Cars were still a novelty. Special Relativity hadn’t been discovered.

Median scenario: so you grow up in that world, then go through 2 world wars, a few pandemics, the loss or death of most of your friends and family, gradually disconnect from the rest of society, just so you can see what amazing thing humanity will invent next (spoiler alert: it's more phones and huge cars and maybe a dozen folks living in tunnels on mars), while the forests are ripped out and the oceans boil and natu…

[deleted]

Re: Humans Could Live up to 150 Years, New Research Suggests

#69
post #25
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

120 years would be a great start. Imagine the world 120 years ago in 1900. The airplane hadn’t been invented. Cars were still a novelty. Special Relativity hadn’t been discovered.

Median scenario: so you grow up in that world, then go through 2 world wars, a few pandemics, the loss or death of most of your friends and family, gradually disconnect from the rest of society, just so you can see what amazing thing humanity will invent next (spoiler alert: it's more phones and huge cars and maybe a dozen folks living in tunnels on mars), while the forests are ripped out and the oceans boil and natu…

Agreed 100%. I hope that medically assisted suicide becomes more widely legal and acceptable by the time I get towards my end. I didn't ask to be brought into this world and when my body and mind start to really deteriorate, and I can no longer enjoy life the way I want then I'd like to check out on my own terms.

Re: Humans Could Live up to 150 Years, New Research Suggests

#70
post #68

I think extending longevity is a negative with regard to human beings as a collective. I think it would be intelligent from a group point of view to create disincentives for individuals to live beyond a certain age.

How old are you?

I suspect you might feel differently when you're older.

Post reply on HN