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A doctor's argument against living longer

by Claude Whitacre
6 replies
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I found this very interesting, and I agree with him. How about you?


  • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
    The most important thing for me, aside from reasonable mobility and health, is mental clarity, the ability for rational thinking and sharpness. If they are the same as now I would have no wish to die, I'm still interested in stuff, and learning new stuff. I think that guy would change his tune if he was the same in that way at 75.

    What's difficult with that though is what is your yardstick. People telling you honestly, you are the same sharp thinking person? If, like my father, you have a stroke, then your mental abilities are impaired and you will have little or no notion or memory of what you were like. My Father realizes that he struggles with words, I have to explain jokes to him, he does not do crosswords and word puzzles any more. But, try telling him you are a different person now, to an extent, he would not get what you are saying. His only point of reference is generally what he is now.

    Look at Hawkin, a beautiful intelligent perceptive mind trapped inside a useless body, yet thanks to a bit of tech, his zest for life and learning is extraordinary.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

      His only point of reference is generally what he is now.
      .
      I can't imagine that that is not true. But even at 60, I remember being sharper.

      We all have our limits to what we will endure. Stephen Hawking is still brilliant, and for him, it's enough to compensate for being immobile.

      And unless I have a stroke (meaning I can't see what I've lost), I think my cut off point would be when I can no longer take care of myself. For example, being unable to write (meaning I can't contribute and form cohesive thoughts). I wouldn't want to live as an invalid.

      And the doctor, in the video, says that he won't seek major medical treatments after 75. It's a little early for me, but I've had the same discussion with my wife. I'm not going to force her to be with me if I'm disabled. I'm not afraid of dying, and it's something I can certainly control. Trying to squeeze out a few more years of useless life, seems like a waste.

      There is going to be a point where being alive is no longer interesting, at least for me.

      My son will tell me, if I'm mentally impaired. My wife wouldn't. My son knows that all I care about is the truth, and trying to "save my feelings" is a waste of time. My wife would hold my hand, and tell me that I'm getting better....until I'm gone.
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      • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
        This doctor paints an awful picture of aging, I did not continue to listen to him. I'm wondering if he has his own mental problems towards aging? Bah Humbug, I don't see a very positive role model here.

        Older people can and do make great contributions to life, for themselves and for others, whether they are disabled or not. He oughtta stay off chugging the downer side of life and be more positive.
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        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          As a child I could happily lay in a lawn chair or on the grass for hours just watching the leaves of the huge tree above me move in the wind or the clouds make pictures in the sky.

          If I could do that at 8 - why not at 80? What if the "going/doing/taking part in" stuff that fills our hours as adults becomes peace/quiet/calm reflection of a life well lived? Is that so bad?

          I didn't choose when to be born - or where or how. Death will be the same I expect.
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          • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
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            Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

            As a child I could happily lay in a lawn chair or on the grass for hours just watching the leaves of the huge tree above me move in the wind or the clouds make pictures in the sky.
            Reminds me of my days as an acid-head. The only difference is the clouds would also sing to me.

            Cheers. - Frank
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        • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
          Originally Posted by AprilCT View Post

          This doctor paints an awful picture of aging, I did not continue to listen to him. I'm wondering if he has his own mental problems towards aging? Bah Humbug, I don't see a very positive role model here.

          Older people can and do make great contributions to life, for themselves and for others, whether they are disabled or not. He oughtta stay off chugging the downer side of life and be more positive.
          You didn't watch the whole thing. He isn't saying anything like that at all.

          Added later;; The doctor simply explained that he thinks that he will not try to prolong his life, with extreme medical care, once he reaches 75. That's all. I didn't see the video as negative at all. He isn't suggesting that we all die at 75.
          .

          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          As a child I could happily lay in a lawn chair or on the grass for hours just watching the leaves of the huge tree above me move in the wind or the clouds make pictures in the sky.

          If I could do that at 8 - why not at 80? What if the "going/doing/taking part in" stuff that fills our hours as adults becomes peace/quiet/calm reflection of a life well lived? Is that so bad?
          Not bad at all. In fact, I think of that as a form of reward.
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