This is a serious issue about which most people, including most policy makers, are in denial:
Ultimately, the question is this: are Americans entitled to unlimited life expectancy? If so, perhaps we need to say goodbye to the notion of limited government as a greater share of wealth is devoted to the health and income needs of a much longer-lived population. From where I sit, unlimited life expectancy sounds appealing. Unlimited government? Not so much. Mr. Kurzweil’s vision greatly amplifies the urgency of our getting on with the task of fundamental entitlement reforms.
The Founders said that we had a right to the pursuit of happiness, which to me would include the pursuit of an indefinite lifespan, if our pursuit is generally successful, and we’re leading happy lives. But they granted no right to live off the labor of others.
Enough of this already, Rand. This kind of thinking ceded the election to Mr. Obama. There is much not to like about Mr. Obama’s leadership from every point on the political compass, but this scolding of the American people for receiving government benefits isn’t getting us anywhere. Really.
As Jerry Pournelle pointed out once, the history of the human race is one of exponential growth in the utilitzation of energy resources. Removing limits to life expectancy and limits to prosperity (that is, most of the world’s people living beyond the subsistence level), requires removing limits to the utilization of energy resources.
And Mr. Obama’s failing, along that with his supporters in the intellectual classes, is that carbon-limiting energy policy of his. An energy secretary insisting on riding a bicycle to work. Weenies!
The new energy secretary, you know, the dude with the big hair, what is his name now, Mohammed Morsi? He understands the role of hydrocarbon sources such as “shale” gas and oil in making the transition to an advanced nuclear fission cycle, fusion, or space-based solar energy future offering a “Star Trek” future of energy abundance.
We will get indefinite life expectancy, where old age is no longer an important factor in life span, when technology and wealth both support it. Technology and wealth are both fruits of liberty and limited government.
Given an end to old age, certain changes to societal structure are demanded, including the end of traditional retirement. Instead, people may work for awhile, take some time to update education, and go back to work at a new career. Over a 1000 year life span a person might master 10 or more unrelated professions.
Great. Baby Boomers forever. That’s what this world needs.
Komm, suẞer Tod.
There’s nothing special about baby boomers. They just happened to be born during a particular span of time.