If you could live to be 200 years old, would you want to?
By LaurenInLA
@LaurenInLA (2270)
United States
September 28, 2010 1:52pm CST
I think that off the top all of us would say absolutely but the question isn't as simple as it seems. If you lived that long, you would have retired at age 70 and the money that you had would have to last over 100 years. You would live longer than your children, grandchildren and all of your friends. I'm not certain how I feel. What about you?
3 people like this
19 responses
@Ayla67 (35)
• United States
28 Sep 10
If I were the only one to live so long, no I definitely wouldn't want to. I get upset enough at seeing my pets die, let alone everyone I've known.
This is kind of like the teenage question: "Would you rather be a werewolf or a vampire?" I have always chosen werewolf because they have the ability to die.
@bowitt (2)
• Macau
29 Sep 10
oh,it's a terrible idea! Maybe I will too sad to see my grandchildren and even my grandgrandgrandchildren go far away from me.. even u can live to be 200 years old, but u also can know what the feeling you will have that your family members die one by one, can anyone can come over from this?````
any way. what a person will be like when he/her is 200 years old? Still walking around? Still talking to other people fluent? Or maybe he/her just a person who alway stays on bed and can not do anything at all```TERRIBLE``` that is not the life i ever wish.
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
29 Sep 10
I think that the consensus is that it would have to be life on our own terms. Without health and friends and family, there doesn't seem to be a point.
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
29 Sep 10
It makes me sad that you say that you don't enjoy life enough to be on this earth that long. Make your life happen. You only get one chance and it is up to each of us to wring the joy out of each moment of every single day that we are blessed to have. I do agree that life is nothing without family and friends. The most painful thing on this earth is to watch your children die. It's unnatural and the pain never goes away.
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
29 Sep 10
Yes, I can imagine this. Imagine what an accomplishment it would be to be married to the same person for 100 years!
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
29 Sep 10
Well, if I could live 200 years but keeping my body in a young and healthy state, I'm sure I would find a way to make money so I could go on living for another 100 years without problems.
If I could choose to live that long and with my own rules, I would absolutely go for it! However, in the situation you mention, it would be a really hard thing to do, and in that case I would have my doubts.
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
29 Sep 10
Therr you go. If it's life on my on terms I'm on board. Outside of that, I would have a lot of serious concerns
@songlian00 (1)
• Philippines
29 Sep 10
Of course, people want to live longer. That is one reason we take medicine if we don't feel well, or we go see a doctor if our health is not in good condition. I want to live longer. But there are things we need to consider. With old age comes weak body and poor health. It would be difficult for someone to earn a living. Well, you might say you have a saving that could supply you till your 200 years old, but still you won't enjoy because you are not as healthy as before when you were younger. So if that is the case I don't want to live to be 200 years old.
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
29 Sep 10
If I couldn't be independent and live life on my own terms, I wouldn't want to live that long either
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
29 Sep 10
You make a great point. What is the purpose of being here if we can be in heaven and in a place that is always beautiful, free of pain, and where our friends and family are.
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
29 Sep 10
I'm with you. Give me a good book and I'm happy
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
29 Sep 10
hi laureninla if my son co uld also live with me sure as just think 
of all the new inventions and new cures for diseases we now do not have so yes with some reservations I would like to have all that time to see what our brave new world would look like.
of all the new inventions and new cures for diseases we now do not have so yes with some reservations I would like to have all that time to see what our brave new world would look like.@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
29 Sep 10
Hi Hatley. I lived in Texas for 5 years and took a trip to Oklahoma to see President Eisenhower's (who was born I think in 1899) boyhood home. It was astonishing. His family had those irons that you heated on a wood stove to keep your feet warm. They also had an ice box. I guess that they put ice in the top compartment and that kept their perishables warm. When I think of all of the technological and scientific advancements that happened from 1900-1999, it is astonishing. Imagine what we would see if we were able to live to 200 years of age. What diseases might be eradicated? What advancements would the human race have made? Would we still be limited to living on planet Earth?
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
29 Sep 10
I'm with you. Unless I am in vry good physical condition and can still do all of the things that I want to do, I'm not certain that I would want to be here. My Aunt's Aunt lived to be 96 and she was still able to live alone and be independent when she passed.
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
29 Sep 10
My husband and I are th eonly surviving members of our family and I can't imagine how it is going to be for the other when one of us is gone.
@kjones505 (271)
• United States
28 Sep 10
If I could have a productive life then yes I would want to.
I'd imagine that living for 200 years would be fun because all stages of life would last twice as long. Your childhood, and middle age years would be twice as long.
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
29 Sep 10
I would only want to live until I can still be productive and enjoy my life as well.
@shethegreat (6)
• Philippines
29 Sep 10
errr, no, i dont want to live that long, i think i will be unhappy. i will outlive my friends and family plus if i live that long i'll just experience the life's harshness over and over again.
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
29 Sep 10
Oh but life's harshness does teach you valuable lessons don't you think? A person always emerges stronger and smarter from having overcome a problem.
@totallyundecided (3190)
• Philippines
29 Sep 10
I don't think I would let myself lived that long - not unless I am an immortal of some kind or a vampire. It would be heartbreaking for me to see everyone around me. From plants to the people I care about. IT will be a devastating lifetime. So, I prefer to live like a normal person. But I believe in reincarnations so I would most likely look forward to my next life instead of living that long.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
29 Sep 10
That is a long time to be alive. I'm not sure I would want to be that old. just being in good health for all that time would be an accomplishment.
@freymind (1351)
• Philippines
1 Oct 10
nope. if my family won't live that long as well i would just probably live below that age... i'd rather be able to enjoy myself and not to be a burden when that happens... i don't think that i would still have the strength that i have before i reach the 100 year old... if it in case my partner or children or everyone has that opportunity then i would like to live that long... otherwise its better to have lived as long as the rest of my family or the world...
@mustafarox (453)
• India
29 Sep 10
If this was possible i wouldn't have chosen it who wants to fight with the difficulties for such a long time I am first of all fed up of this busy life if my life is that long then I don't know what will happen with me...
