I remember reading the story for the first time and my feelings of pity and horror when the protagonist's decline began. With lifespans increasing, many of us will have Charlie's experience.
Indeed. I wish I could have been born in a world where I could use my skills for survival in the forests and die younger but have a more fulfilling life. Modern technological society is a disappointment, even if I am more comfortable.
Do you do any outdoors activities? One thing I’ve learned over the years, and was somewhat surprised by, is that I find type-II outdoor fun more fulfilling than my hobbies or work. For me, it’s a mix of 1) nature is awesome and indifferently brutal af, 2) having/improvising/gaining knowledge and skills to handle situations you haven’t before, and 3) pushing yourself physically beyond some limit. I don’t like exercising and went far too many years not doing so, but when I have a trip on the calendar I tend to get out of my chair to stretch and strengthen regularly. If anything, using my skills for survival in the forests (and deserts, snow, etc) will help me reach death later and with a better quality of life. Otherwise, I joke with my wife that if I lose my faculties, she can leave me at the edge of the Grand Canyon in my wheelchair and maybe I’ll just simply forget to set the brake.