Longevity

Another thought:

I am an old person (or is it young), going to celebrate my 150th birthday
next year. Who would I like to have around me on my birthday. (a) Ten
persons who are 200 years old (b) Ten persons 100 years old (c) Ten persons
10 years old.

Regards
Selvaraj

From: "Combs, Mike"

From: spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of sraj

> All that Vega is trying to say is that there is a natural
> cycle we should try to respect. Having too many old people
> around is not a very good idea, since according to nature's
> plan the young replace the old.

According to nature's plan, the near-sighted will be eaten by the
leopards, while those with better vision live long enough to have
children. As a wearer of eyeglasses, I'd like to vote against doing
things in accordance with "nature's plans".

Yes, I found the ending of "Zardoz" to be quite touching, and even
emotionally satisfying. That said, in the future we may no more
consider 150 or 200 year life-spans to be any more an intolerable
interference in nature's plan than we presently do eyeglasses, hearing
aids, or insulin.

Regards,

Mike Combs