Is he the last Chief Justice the nation will ever have? He seems to be in good health, so I think that it's possible that he'll live for many decades, perhaps centuries.

Interesting reading, but come on Rand. I make rounds with my girlfriend, and I know where the life extending technologies that are skewing the statistical data are taking us. Actually I should say taking them. It is in fact the women of the last two generations that are actually living longer. They outnumber men six or seven to one. They are carefully monitored, medicated and when they near their end their life is extended using extreme measures through their families good intentions, and our Medicare dollars. Vastly extending the lifespan of people who’ve been housed and for the most part forgotten may one day lead to the kind of useful life extending technologies you envision. I however never wish to be part of the great experiment. And I hope you never are either. jjs

That's not the kind of life extension that I'm talking about. I'm including rejuvenation, not extended periods of agedness.

This does cause one to re-think notions like criminal 'life' sentences, or the 'till death do us part' vow...

And it tends to illistrate my problem with those medical ethicists who support control and cure of 'diseases,' but oppose altering the 'aging process(es).' The difference isn't nearly as clear as some might think.

The man might live for centuries - but may not always be Chief Justice. That is a long time to hold down any job - after even being on the Court might pale.

"But do we want Ruth Bader Ginsburg writing Supreme Court decisions in 2365?"

(comment left by yours truly at Pejmanesque, May 8.)

Life extension technology will definitely bring new relevance to term limits issues, including academic tenure.