How long do you want to live?
Discussion
What we believe to be everyday existence (the work treadmill etc) is actually an illusion, we are here for the blink of an eye and some of the stories above really illustrate this, thank you for posting them.
That Instagram link is a great piece to meditate on about what’s actually important.
996Type said:
What we believe to be everyday existence (the work treadmill etc) is actually an illusion, we are here for the blink of an eye and some of the stories above really illustrate this, thank you for posting them.
That Instagram link is a great piece to meditate on about what’s actually important.
I'm incredibly fortunate to have retired in my late 30's (through lots of good luck, some hard work and some more good luck) and as such I get to do the good bits whilst I'm still healthy. Currently approaching mid-40s so hopefully a long time to go yet. I now renovate houses for a hobby (that also pays) with a good friend and that keeps me very much learning and problem solving, maybe three days a week, rarely more.
I definitely drink too much, and exercise isn't as frequent as it once was (used to run marathons - finished the Majors in 2022), so that's something to work on and get it back whilst I still can, especially reading this thread. I probably expose myself to asbestos and god knows what else in old houses so that doesn't help, I'm sure.
I've all but stopped motorcycling simply because life gets in the way and at this point the standard of driving out there and the state of the roads makes it a chore rather than a pleasure. So that might increase the life expectancy.
We walk the dog every day, don't eat much processed food, don't have a lot of stress which is nice.
I want to keep going as long as I can but I do not under any circumstances want to go into a care home. At that point it's a trip to Switzerland for me.
Grandparents all got into their 90s with most things still working, so fingers crossed.
I definitely drink too much, and exercise isn't as frequent as it once was (used to run marathons - finished the Majors in 2022), so that's something to work on and get it back whilst I still can, especially reading this thread. I probably expose myself to asbestos and god knows what else in old houses so that doesn't help, I'm sure.
I've all but stopped motorcycling simply because life gets in the way and at this point the standard of driving out there and the state of the roads makes it a chore rather than a pleasure. So that might increase the life expectancy.
We walk the dog every day, don't eat much processed food, don't have a lot of stress which is nice.
I want to keep going as long as I can but I do not under any circumstances want to go into a care home. At that point it's a trip to Switzerland for me.
Grandparents all got into their 90s with most things still working, so fingers crossed.
dandarez said:
The current record holder for the oldest man alive is now a 'Brit', he's 111.
But there are a few more (including some women) on his tail, like this 107 yr old Bristolian, who now lives in Cornwall.
Secret?
He has had Shredded Wheat and spoonful(s) of sugar and importantly, full fat milk, for as long as he can recall, also battered Fish & Chips.
I prefer honey on mine, but always full fat milk.But there are a few more (including some women) on his tail, like this 107 yr old Bristolian, who now lives in Cornwall.
Secret?
He has had Shredded Wheat and spoonful(s) of sugar and importantly, full fat milk, for as long as he can recall, also battered Fish & Chips.
Personally, I want to be alive long enough to see the rise of the machines, a zombie apocalypse, or an alien invasion.
ChocolateFrog said:
johnboy1975 said:
"They" reckon the first person to reach 150 may have already been born...and eventually will be commonplace (or possibly a lesser age, like 120 or 130)
Doesn't stack up for me, 75 years as an old person (I'll give the 60-74's some leeway
)
I've said before, retire at 50 (with a good pension) and quick death at 65. 48 now, and not changed my mind. Dementia runs in my family though, so that may blight my views
Retire at 68 and (maybe) have a few good years - also doesn't stack up for me
Health seems to be going backwards not forwards. Doesn't stack up for me, 75 years as an old person (I'll give the 60-74's some leeway
)I've said before, retire at 50 (with a good pension) and quick death at 65. 48 now, and not changed my mind. Dementia runs in my family though, so that may blight my views
Retire at 68 and (maybe) have a few good years - also doesn't stack up for me
Dealing with the NHS for anything other than genuine emergencies is utterly painful.
I guess the life expectancy between wealthy and poor will get significantly wider. I can see one going down as the other goes up.
thegreenhell said:
I think it's ultimately a question of genetics rather than health. Humans seem to have a genetic lifespan of around 120 years regardless of good health, and it will take a scientific breakthrough in genetic manipulation to increase that, not just better healthcare and medication.
I read something as well that curing cancer would make very little difference to life expectancy overall, because people will just die of the next biggest thing, heart disease for example. So you need to eradicate all the major killers before you can really push life expectancy up massively across the board.Scabutz said:
thegreenhell said:
I think it's ultimately a question of genetics rather than health. Humans seem to have a genetic lifespan of around 120 years regardless of good health, and it will take a scientific breakthrough in genetic manipulation to increase that, not just better healthcare and medication.
I read something as well that curing cancer would make very little difference to life expectancy overall, because people will just die of the next biggest thing, heart disease for example. So you need to eradicate all the major killers before you can really push life expectancy up massively across the board.You could be 100% healthy and when the day comes you will die with absolute surety.
bigothunter said:
A500leroy said:
60 is plenty.
My 60s were great. I've reached 70 now and that's great too. Not too sure how 80 will feel, if I survive that long.62 & fine
Still working as I enjoy it & wfh, paid well, don’t do a lot, plenty of time to do what I want. 5k race in 20 mins on a good day. Doing junior parkruns with the 3 grandchildren aged 7 & under every Sunday.
Grandad lived to 93, father 58
I aim to beat grandad.
Think back to when I was 30. Could still have that time ahead of me.
Edited by James6112 on Sunday 21st April 15:01
thegreenhell said:
...or an alien invasion.
I've always wanted to see when an alien species contacts the Earth. Would obviously prefer if they were friendly.But as I'm aging (mid 40s) I find myself increasingly not giving a fk about living a long life. Parents are in their late 70s and I can see signs of deterioration which is concerning. I don't want to find myself ever like that
I'm Single, no kids, social life has become ever more sporadic as friends get married, have kids, stop going out (and then at least 2/3rds get divorced which screws them financially!) My job isn't really going to go anywhere, and that I don't really enjoy anymore, cant retrain at my age or career swap because I don't want the pay drop. I get paid reasonably well (above average UK wage) and can cover my mortgage and have enough to go on holiday if I want. But I find I'm entering a more apathetic mode of thinking. I am often disappointed by others (particularly other drivers!) and sometimes wish I could just be left alone by all the morons. But it seems these days the morons have more rights than the rest of us and we should just cede to their every demand...
Fun, fun, fun times!
Edited by BunkMoreland on Sunday 21st April 20:57
James6112 said:
62 & fine
Still working as I enjoy it & wfh, paid well, don’t do a lot, plenty of time to do what I want. 5k race in 20 mins on a good day. Doing junior parkruns with the 3 grandchildren aged 7 & under every Sunday.
Grandad lived to 93, father 58
I aim to beat grandad.
Think back to when I was 30. Could still have that time ahead of me.
Edited by James6112 on Sunday 21st April 15:01
cheesejunkie said:
James6112 said:
62 & fine
Still working as I enjoy it & wfh, paid well, don’t do a lot, plenty of time to do what I want. 5k race in 20 mins on a good day. Doing junior parkruns with the 3 grandchildren aged 7 & under every Sunday.
Grandad lived to 93, father 58
I aim to beat grandad.
Think back to when I was 30. Could still have that time ahead of me.
Edited by James6112 on Sunday 21st April 15:01
cheesejunkie said:
A500leroy said:
60 is plenty.
Said no 59 year old ever 
.When my Dad died she was 72 and would have been happy to go with him.
A couple of years later she started living her life again and said she'd be happy to have a few more years, but didn't want to be 80.
She got to 79 and upped it to not wanting to get past 85.
She's 88 now, still quite happy but looking on 90 with dread.
I'm pretty sure she'll change her mind next year and set herself a new max.
I've just paid for a pair of new knees which should last about 20 years till I'm 80. I'll hopefully get some decent use out of them but I don't fancy getting replacements in my eighties so hopefully that'll be me done about then.
Edited by Desiderata on Sunday 21st April 22:46
Luke. said:
I have to say 5k in 20 mins sounds a bit of a stretch...
Freaks of nature walk among us.I married into a family full of county level runners. Some of them could be national if they didn’t like a drink.
One was told in the army they’ve never had someone who can run like them. Went on the piss to three in the morning one night and came third in a marathon the next day with barely any training.
I find extra orifices to breathe out of trying to keep up when having a run with him.
Not the sharpest tool in the box but is born to run.
Has heart problems now, you never know what cards you’ll be dealt.
Like most my answer is probably as long as I have a good quality of life. None of my grandparents saw 80. My mother still works a couple of shifts a week as a nurse at 66, my dad is 67 retired at age 48 not too long after they divorced and moved to Spain where he’s had nearly 20 years of good living. He now spends more of his time in the UK and while happy enough can’t really seem to be arsed to do much at all these days and has put on a lot of weight.
I’m 41 and most likely have more years behind me now than in front which can be a sobering thought. My wife and I had kids a bit later in life if I retire at 60 they’ll be 27 and 24, if I live that long I plan to spend my early retirement travelling and generally spending UK winters abroad. I could retire earlier but will see what the lay of the land is when I’m in my 50’s, I do think need something to keep your mind occupied and stimulated.
I’m 41 and most likely have more years behind me now than in front which can be a sobering thought. My wife and I had kids a bit later in life if I retire at 60 they’ll be 27 and 24, if I live that long I plan to spend my early retirement travelling and generally spending UK winters abroad. I could retire earlier but will see what the lay of the land is when I’m in my 50’s, I do think need something to keep your mind occupied and stimulated.
cheesejunkie said:
Luke. said:
I have to say 5k in 20 mins sounds a bit of a stretch...
Freaks of nature walk among us.I married into a family full of county level runners. Some of them could be national if they didn’t like a drink.
One was told in the army they’ve never had someone who can run like them. Went on the piss to three in the morning one night and came third in a marathon the next day with barely any training.
I find extra orifices to breathe out of trying to keep up when having a run with him.
Not the sharpest tool in the box but is born to run.
Has heart problems now, you never know what cards you’ll be dealt.
Andrew Butchart, he's an ‘Olympian’ and the ‘current 5K Parkrun record holder’ at just under 14 secs – yeah, that is quite a lot faster than James, but he's an 'elite' athlete, but far more to the point he's just 32 yrs of age, ie Butchart is 30 years 'younger' than James6112.
The record Butchart broke, which was only last year by the way, had previously been held for ELEVEN years by another Andrew, Andy Baddeley, at 16m 45s.
But as you say freaks of nature walk (or should that be 'run') amongst us.
dandarez said:
Andrew Butchart, he's an ‘Olympian’ and the ‘current 5K Parkrun record holder’ at just under 14 secs – yeah, that is quite a lot faster than James,
The record Butchart broke, which was only last year by the way, had previously been held for ELEVEN years by another Andrew, Andy Baddeley, at 16m 45s.
That's some going knocking 16m 31s off the old record.The record Butchart broke, which was only last year by the way, had previously been held for ELEVEN years by another Andrew, Andy Baddeley, at 16m 45s.
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