Excellent article on why it makes sense to die at 75

[RDMcG]

I never understood why people want to live to 100...the vast majority of people over 80 that I have known have a variety if ailments and disabilities. Of course, if you want to live to 100, why not?...for me, I am happy to live while I have most of my faculties intact, but the long (or short) deterioration holds no attractiveness.....

http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/0...


Obviously these are deeply personal matters and we each make our own decisions, and I am not advocating any kind of euthanasia here, but the article makes some great points. The TV version of a lovely old age, three days lying in bed and saying goodbye to the loved ones and drifting off to sleep is of course mainly nonsense and certainly at complete variance with my own experience....

[THX]

I plan on hitting 150.

I've already told my friends that, whilst I'll be sorry to see them go, I'll secretly be flipping the Vs as they fall at the latter life hurdles, and I power on.

Although I've got a bit of a cold at the moment, and that has, admittedly, cast a little doubt in my mind; I don't fare well with illness.

[Hoofy]

I'll read it later when I'm at the far end of my office.

Anyway, you don't need a whole article. Just a couple of lines are enough for me: being trapped in your own body and fearful thanks to strokes and dementia will make you want to die. Sure there are outliers.

[StevieBee]

Everyone is different. My Mum's 82 but has the physical and mental capacity of someone in their 60s if not younger.

I'm 47 but have greater stamina and strength than many (and supposedly 'fit') 20 somethings, yet I know some in their 50's that run rings round me on a squash court or on a mountain bike.

[Steve H]

RDMcG said:

I never understood why people want to live to 100...

That's because you aren't 99.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

When I see an article like that written by one of the millions of fit and healthy 74 y/olds out there, I'll take it more seriously.

[numtumfutunch]

[cheddar]

I play golf once a week with a 90 year old lady who still walks 18 holes and hits under 100, lucid woman and not a physical problem in sight.

Another member of the golf club is 80 and often shoots scores in the high 70's.

He did do a poo in the bushes last time were playing though so it's not all sunshine and roses.

[272BHP]

I was listening to Radio 4 a week or two ago and the Ballerina Dame Gillian Lynn was speaking on it. 88yrs old and she was talking about how she danced for the troops in WWII. she sounded sharp as a tack and with the vigour of a teenager. She can still do the full splits and works at it every day, she said that 'the day that you tell yourself that you can't be bothered is the day it's over' I found it hugely inspirational listening to her.

Leonard Cohen is doing some of his best work right now and he is 80 this weekend.

I have no idea what it feels like to be that age, but I bet it feels entirely natural if you are lucky enough (or smart enough) to avoid the usual ailments.

[Hoofy]

cheddar said:

golf

Another reason why it makes sense to die at 75.

Now if I can do this sort of thing at 75... http://youtu.be/RLeoreilVp0

[ChasW]

I think the author may already be losing it. Looking at the soles of his shoes it looks as tough is wearing an odd pair!