Do We Live To Long

@mrtoffee (1522)
November 3, 2015 3:48am CST
This is a question I often ask myself as the human race is living long and longer and at times I wonder if we live just a bit to long. With the help of modern medicine people here in the United Kingdom are living well into their eighties and nineties, often in old peoples homes, but is this a for filling life? Personally I only want to live for as long as I can look after myself, once I have to rely on others to help me do every day tasks I am happy to pop my clogs. I don't want to be a burden and by then I will have lived a good life. So what do you guys think, do we live to long these days? Should we rely on medicines to keep us going after the body decides our time is up and are we interfering with nature.
4 people like this
8 responses
@destry (2572)
• Kirkwall, Scotland
3 Nov 15
I agree - once I am unable to tie my shoes and walk, once I don't know where I am or who I am - I will be too old for this thing called life. As lomg as I can maintain myself, I will be happy!
2 people like this
• Greece
3 Nov 15
I think you should revise that list Destry, I have problems tying my shoes and life is still good!
2 people like this
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
3 Nov 15
I live to long for.....a long life, a happy family, lots of other things. But if you ask do I live TOO long, that's a different story. Some do, some don't. I hope to live long enough to enjoy good health.
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
8 Nov 15
The average life expectancy for us in Singapore is higher than in UK by 2 years. I think that is the reason that the government is getting worried. Fortunately they are taking actions to level the roads to make them wheelchair accessible, and they are building lifts in overhead bridges that are near MRT station. I think all these measures help to deal with silver tsunami. I do not mind living long but I do hate to work long. I hate the thought of working into the 70s.
1 person likes this
@mrtoffee (1522)
9 Nov 15
he thought of still working in your seventies is very scary isn't it @scheng1 mind I think what your government is doing to make life easier for the elderly is fantastic.
@allknowing (137553)
• India
4 Nov 15
No amount of medicine is going to take care of the deterioration that takes place in our bodies due to aging.
1 person likes this
@mrtoffee (1522)
9 Nov 15
you would be surprised @allknowing I know several people who's lives have been greatly extended thanks to modern medicines.
@allknowing (137553)
• India
9 Nov 15
@mrtoffee Both mind and body should work in tandem. If you visit senior homes you will know what I am talking about. It is prolonging one's life and that's it. I still see walkers, wheelchairs, alzheimers, name it and the age related maladies are there despite all the claims of what moderns medicines do.
1 person likes this
@mrtoffee (1522)
9 Nov 15
@allknowing they are indeed and it is that point where either the body or mind keeps working and the other gives up which I wish to avoid in life.
• Greece
3 Nov 15
All the time we are healthy and have our wits the answer is going to be a resounding NO. Life is too sweet we want to go on forever. But when we get sick in the body or in the head then that is a bitter pill to swallow. I've known too many old people who want to die because life has become a burden but we cannot chose the date of our arrival or departure.
1 person likes this
@T964045 (48)
• Canlubang, Philippines
8 Nov 15
I'd say if the medicine is there, take it. One way or the other the side effects of medicine would take their toll. But if I were in a situation wherein I still would still have to suffer for a long time I hope fate would just intervene and end my life. Hope am not sounding morbid.
1 person likes this
@mrtoffee (1522)
9 Nov 15
@T964045 that's not morbid at all, there is no point living in constant suffering if you ask me.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
3 Nov 15
I agree that life becomes pointless if we are simply managing to exist from day to day. The government certainly believes that we live too long because they would prefer that we paid taxes all our life then passed away instead of claiming a pension.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472000)
• Switzerland
3 Nov 15
I share your same idea, humans are living too long, only because of the modern medicine. This is a reason why I do not want to go to see a doctor. Let me die when it's my moment.
1 person likes this