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Can we live 1000 years?

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Re: Can we live 1000 years?

#41

Post by alex_c »

biohacker42 wrote: post #39
electromagnetic wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So your assumption is life is pointless so kill yourself? Are you going to be the first person to test this laughably pessimistic hypothesis? I'm a thousand times smarter than my pet rabbit, I've yet to even try suicide because its patently moronic. If human beings were a thousand times smarter than they are today then there's a high probability that less people will commit suicide as they'll finally be smart enough…

I wouldn't just kill myself for several reasons, but the two top ones are: First, I am afraid of death. Second, I am mortal and my death is a certainty, there is quite literally no point in rushing it. So there you have one emotional instinctive reason and one logical one. And I have to agree with you suicide is moronic. And perhaps 1000 years is not nearly enough time to become bored. But how about 1000 000 years? M…

The problem with death is that it's irreversible.

If I'm bored today, I might still find something interesting tomorrow.

If I'm dead today, I'll still be dead tomorrow.

Re: Can we live 1000 years?

#42

Post by yummyfajitas »

DaniFong wrote: post #36
patio11 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know that wealth necessarily implies a lower return to capital. More people are wealthier worldwide right now than at any point in history -- the poorest American makes old European royalty like paupers. (Lives two to three times as long, too.) But what does the return on capital look like in 2008 versus 1408? It is much, much higher. People, in aggregate, have trillions to invest right now . The market finds…

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you don't sound like you know too many of the very poorest Americans. They are in debt, or completely insolvent, living a life of vagrancy, homeless, family-less, mentally disturbed, and diseased, often terminally. Kings lived lives of prestige and luxury.

The very poorest in our society are, as you note, mentally ill, addicted and diseased.

Beyond those people, however, most of the poor do live quite well even in comparison to nobility of the past.

Re: Can we live 1000 years?

#43

Post by biohacker42 »

alex_c wrote: post #41
biohacker42 wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't just kill myself for several reasons, but the two top ones are: First, I am afraid of death. Second, I am mortal and my death is a certainty, there is quite literally no point in rushing it. So there you have one emotional instinctive reason and one logical one. And I have to agree with you suicide is moronic. And perhaps 1000 years is not nearly enough time to become bored. But how about 1000 000 years? M…

The problem with death is that it's irreversible. If I'm bored today, I might still find something interesting tomorrow. If I'm dead today, I'll still be dead tomorrow.

How likely are you to find something new and interesting if you are a universe sized super intellect?

Re: Can we live 1000 years?

#44

Post by sgibat »

biohacker42 wrote: post #43
alex_c wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The problem with death is that it's irreversible. If I'm bored today, I might still find something interesting tomorrow. If I'm dead today, I'll still be dead tomorrow.

How likely are you to find something new and interesting if you are a universe sized super intellect?

When you finally understand everything there is to know, if that is possible, then I think you will be so far gone from human that you will be impervious to boredom.

Re: Can we live 1000 years?

#45

Post by randallsquared »

DaniFong wrote: post #36
patio11 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know that wealth necessarily implies a lower return to capital. More people are wealthier worldwide right now than at any point in history -- the poorest American makes old European royalty like paupers. (Lives two to three times as long, too.) But what does the return on capital look like in 2008 versus 1408? It is much, much higher. People, in aggregate, have trillions to invest right now . The market finds…

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you don't sound like you know too many of the very poorest Americans. They are in debt, or completely insolvent, living a life of vagrancy, homeless, family-less, mentally disturbed, and diseased, often terminally. Kings lived lives of prestige and luxury.

Someone who makes 12K US a year in the American South can easily live better in almost every material way than most nobility could even a few hundred years ago. More food choices (and at least as abundant food), more chances to travel (by driving), and such a vast array of entertainment choices that it would be inconceivable to people whose might see a bunch of concerts and plays every year.

Even the homeless have access to more, through libraries and shelters, than many societies' wealthy ever did.

Re: Can we live 1000 years?

#46

Post by randallsquared »

Harkins wrote: post #6
tphyahoo wrote: post #4

I don't know, but I hope we get space colonization first, or it's going to get awfully crowded and competitive around here.

It would be some pretty big spaceships that could outpace the birth rate.

...or very numerous. If wealth keeps trending upwards, then anyone who wants will be able to afford their own ship out, as the wealthy can all afford yachts today.

Re: Can we live 1000 years?

#48

Post by joubert »

signa11 wrote: post #28
mixmax wrote: post #9

Living a thousand years has some pretty interesting implications. - Things that seem safe will become dangerous. Small daily risks, such as crossing a red light, will have a much bigger chance of killing you. If you live 15 times as long the risk is 15 times as big. Expect to see people being insulated from the daily dangers of the world. - Our personal drive will diminish. If you want to do a startup (or whatever el…

Work is not an end in itself; there must always be time enough for love. -lazarus long

Think how many offspring you could spawn in a thousand years.

Re: Can we live 1000 years?

#49

Post by swombat »

Were it to do so, it would undermine what it means to be human.

They oppose the idea of life extension and anti-ageing research on ethical, moral and ecological grounds.

the finitude of human life is a blessing for every human individual

Seriously, if you think that dying will give meaning to your life, go ahead and do it. No one's stopping you.

Re: Can we live 1000 years?

#50

Post by DaniFong »

randallsquared wrote: post #45
DaniFong wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you don't sound like you know too many of the very poorest Americans. They are in debt, or completely insolvent, living a life of vagrancy, homeless, family-less, mentally disturbed, and diseased, often terminally. Kings lived lives of prestige and luxury.

Someone who makes 12K US a year in the American South can easily live better in almost every material way than most nobility could even a few hundred years ago. More food choices (and at least as abundant food), more chances to travel (by driving), and such a vast array of entertainment choices that it would be inconceivable to people whose might see a bunch of concerts and plays every year. Even the homeless have ac…

Have you lived for 12K US a year in the American south? Or even tried to support kids on that? Just trying to make it on 16k in the Bay Area is a struggle, and it's only myself to feed.

I think you touch on an important point: the poor have access to a better life, or at least more choices, than many in the past could dream of. I don't believe that means that they actually do live a life of luxury: they are far less in control of their lives, are almost compelled to do meaningless work to sustain themselves, and the consumer choices they have often trap rather than fulfill them.

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