Do we really have to die?

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I was thinking about how the human body is constantly regenerating itself.

And as I was pondering that thought, I saw a quote. It said:

"If you didn't know how old you are, how old would you be?"

Ask yourself that question a few times. It gets trippy.

So I'm sitting here at a coffeehouse and I went through some of my old research notes for a health product and found this:

"There is nothing in biology, yet found, that indicates the inevitability of death. This suggests to me that it is NOT at all inevitable. It is only a matter of time before the biologists discover what it is that is causing us the trouble. And that terrible universal disease or temporariness of the human's body will be cured." - Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize Winning Quantum Physicist

Interesting, huh?

What do ya think?

Mark
  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    Originally Posted by Mark Pescetti View Post

    I was thinking about how the human body is constantly regenerating itself.

    And as I was pondering that thought, I saw a quote. It said:

    "If you didn't know how old you are, how old would you be?"

    Ask yourself that question a few times. It gets trippy.

    So I'm sitting here at a coffeehouse and I went through some of my old research notes for a health product and found this:

    "There is nothing in biology, yet found, that indicates the inevitability of death. This suggests to me that it is NOT at all inevitable. It is only a matter of time before the biologists discover what it is that is causing us the trouble. And that terrible universal disease or temporariness of the human's body will be cured." - Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize Winning Quantum Physicist

    Interesting, huh?

    What do ya think?

    Mark
    Living cells only divide a certain number of times before mistakes set in.

    That's why we, as a species, tend to live about 70-80 years. And nobody lives to 140. You can slow down the cell division with a restricted diet, but so far...that's pretty much it.

    Biologists already know why we age, and why all animals age. But some people who write these articles think it makes a better article if we pretend that we can live forever.
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  • Profile picture of the author ncotta
    Whatever drugs you're on... I want in!
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  • Profile picture of the author LarryC
    I believe our life span is potentially much longer than it is presently, but I don't know about forever. Would you really want to be in this world indefinitely?

    I don't believe the conventional statistics about the oldest living person being 110 or thereabouts. There have been many reports of people living to be 150, 200 or more. Some believe that there are yogis in the Himalayas who are close to 1000 years old.

    I think this is very possible, as advanced practitioners of meditation, yoga and qi gong can control their heartbeat and breathing to the degree that they don't age the same way most people do. Some don't even need food. I know many people don't believe this, which is fine with me. Overall, I think the quality of life is more important than the number of years you're here.
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    • Profile picture of the author DJL
      I have not researched this subject in any depth, but have come across it occasionally in various contexts.
      One thing I believe that is fairly well established, is that the deterioration of telomeres (end caps on chromosomes) leads eventually to cell senescence, dysfunction, and death.
      Death of too many cells leads to tissue failure, then organ failure, then demise of the organism.
      Future research likely will find various modes of intervention in these processes by medical science.
      The prospect of increased longevity for future generations seems highly probable; however, the impact on human culture and society may not be entirely positive.
      I would love to live longer than the norm... I just hope I don't wind up with a goiter the size of a pumpkin on my scrotum!
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      • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
        Bingo! If you don't figure out the telomeres problem, the low 100's is the max.

        [Edit:] Low 100's is the max IF you have an active FOXO3a. If not, then mid 80's is the max.

        Joe Mobley


        Originally Posted by DJL View Post

        I have not researched this subject in any depth, but have come across it occasionally in various contexts.
        One thing I believe that is fairly well established, is that the deterioration of telomeres (end caps on chromosomes) leads eventually to cell senescence, dysfunction, and death.
        Death of too many cells leads to tissue failure, then organ failure, then demise of the organism.
        Future research likely will find various modes of intervention in these processes by medical science.
        The prospect of increased longevity for future generations seems highly probable; however, the impact on human culture and society may not be entirely positive.
        I would love to live longer than the norm... I just hope I don't wind up with a goiter the size of a pumpkin on my scrotum!
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by DJL View Post

        One thing I believe that is fairly well established, is that the deterioration of telomeres (end caps on chromosomes) leads eventually to cell senescence, dysfunction, and death.
        Death of too many cells leads to tissue failure, then organ failure, then demise of the organism.
        Thanks, I couldn't remember how to spell "telomeres". Here's an interesting article on them. Are Telomeres the Key to Aging and Cancer?

        I've read several books on life extension. Telomeres can be repaired and made to last indefinitely. But cancer is the side effect. So..not a great thing. Tests on animals continue. Maybe some day....

        We have all read stories of people living centuries. But these are folk tales. Like Paul Bunyan. Documented cases trail off at around 130 years.

        As far as meditation? I've been studying Kung Fu for almost 40 years. Doing Chi Kung (There are about 8 ways to spell it) for that long too. It helps in many ways, and makes you stronger. And yes, I can control my heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing more than normal. But it can't affect the genetic makeup of the body.The chromosomes stay the same. I've read and heard more stories of "Immortal Taoist Monks" than the rest of this Forum put together. I actually held out hope that some of it was real..for a time.

        Some Chi Kung practitioners can do truly impressive things. But living hundreds of years isn't one of them.

        These stories are always handed down verbally over hundreds of years....and they get exaggerated, and distorted. And some are simply stories.

        I still hear that someone heard of a guy that can either levitate or catch a bullet....things you would hear in high school.
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        • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
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          The maximum observed lifespan seems not to increase at all. What tends gradually to increase, with medical/scientific/healthcare advances, is the proportion of the population approaching/achieving it.
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          • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
            There are stories of humans living for several hundreds of years. Just remember that these accounts do not fall on the "fact" side of the fact/fallacy equation.

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        • Profile picture of the author LarryC
          << As far as meditation? I've been studying Kung Fu for almost 40 years. Doing Chi Kung (There are about 8 ways to spell it) for that long too. It helps in many ways, and makes you stronger. And yes, I can control my heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing more than normal. But it can't affect the genetic makeup of the body.The chromosomes stay the same. I've read and heard more stories of "Immortal Taoist Monks" than the rest of this Forum put together. I actually held out hope that some of it was real..for a time. >>

          When it comes to Taoist immortals, there's no way to prove it or disprove it. If I link to such a case, skeptics will simply say it's fake so there's really no point in debating it.

          People assume that genetic makeup is something fixed, but it may not be. Check out Bruce Lipton's work on the subject.

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        • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
          Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

          Thanks, I couldn't remember how to spell "telomeres". Here's an interesting article on them. Are Telomeres the Key to Aging and Cancer?

          I've read several books on life extension. Telomeres can be repaired and made to last indefinitely. But cancer is the side effect. So..not a great thing. Tests on animals continue. Maybe some day....

          We have all read stories of people living centuries. But these are folk tales. Like Paul Bunyan. Documented cases trail off at around 130 years.

          As far as meditation? I've been studying Kung Fu for almost 40 years. Doing Chi Kung (There are about 8 ways to spell it) for that long too. It helps in many ways, and makes you stronger. And yes, I can control my heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing more than normal. But it can't affect the genetic makeup of the body.The chromosomes stay the same. I've read and heard more stories of "Immortal Taoist Monks" than the rest of this Forum put together. I actually held out hope that some of it was real..for a time.

          Some Chi Kung practitioners can do truly impressive things. But living hundreds of years isn't one of them.

          These stories are always handed down verbally over hundreds of years....and they get exaggerated, and distorted. And some are simply stories.

          I still hear that someone heard of a guy that can either levitate or catch a bullet....things you would hear in high school.
          It's a well guarded secret fact that Chi Kung practitioners age differently due to metabolic changes. It's about 2/3 faster. This is the source of the rumors about the immortal monks.

          So in your case, 40 x .666 = 26.64. 26.64 + 40 years + 18 = 84.64. So you are actually about 85, but look 58.

          Also, due to the fact that I used to eat a lot of Doritos, the preservatives have given me a condition that makes me look 39, even though I am 53. And, I have to remind myself of that fact when I see a pretty 25 year old.

          On a serious note, I would enjoy living a long time if I was healthy. To see all the historical changes.

          In a previous job, I used to work with people who had to be experts in their field to serve as arbitrators for the civil disputes we helped resolve. A very high proportion would literally die within a year after they retired. As a result, I don't think I will ever retire, as long as I can be useful.
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          • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
            Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

            It's a well guarded secret fact that Chi Kung practitioners age differently due to metabolic changes. It's about 2/3 faster. This is the source of the rumors about the immortal monks.

            So in your case, 40 x .666 = 26.64. 26.64 + 40 years + 18 = 84.64. So you are actually about 85, but look 58.

            Also, due to the fact that I used to eat a lot of Doritos, the preservatives have given me a condition that makes me look 39, even though I am 53. And, I have to remind myself of that fact when I see a pretty 25 year old.

            On a serious note, I would enjoy living a long time if I was healthy. To see all the historical changes.

            In a previous job, I used to work with people who had to be experts in their field to serve as arbitrators for the civil disputes we helped resolve. A very high proportion would literally die within a year after they retired. As a result, I don't think I will ever retire, as long as I can be useful.
            First...You actually had me going there for several seconds. Well done.

            I practiced Kung Fu (and Chi Kung) with a group of ardent practitioners starting at about 19 years of age. It's strange to watch what happens as you get older. Most of us could keep our speed and conditioning until about 45 or 50, and then we would start to see a loss of endurance, strength, speed.

            But I think we can keep a lot of it until we are in our seventies. But I think if we stopped training..it would all go very fast. The timing and technique may stay, but the body has a stasis that it always tries to maintain.

            Body builders have the same problem.

            As far as retiring? Yeah, retiring can be stressful, and also many retirees just stop moving. I can't imagine not being productive. Maybe slower...but still in the game.
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            • Profile picture of the author ThomM
              I'm 58...I look 58...I feel 58...and most people guess my age at about 58.
              You kids
              I've been told to act my age many times. I always say I can't. I've never been this age before so I don't know how, instead I choose to act an age I'm experienced at.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    Population growth rate would not be sustainable if we lived much longer than we do now. Most of the people I've known that were lucky enough to die at an old age all said that they were ready to go.
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    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      If I didn't know my age, I'd be 30.

      Live longer and healthier is definitely possible - but you have to divorce yourself from most of our culture, which as more means to poison yourself than places to put it.

      I've had two relatives die at 110. Had they been in their native territory, I'm sure they'd have lived longer. If I'm not mistaken, the bible isn't the only religious book that talks about some very old people, either.

      I don't think we can live forever -- not in the corporal form. But I'm thinking that whatever dimension our mental energy slips into after here might be someplace just as full of wonder and exploration possibilities, so not really going to worry about it too much.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
    Originally Posted by Mark Pescetti View Post

    So I'm sitting here at a coffeehouse and I went through some of my old research notes for a health product and found this:

    "There is nothing in biology, yet found, that indicates the inevitability of death..." - Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize Winning Quantum Physicist
    This is incorrect... and I really like Feynman.

    Joe Mobley
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  • Profile picture of the author Brandon Tanner
    Originally Posted by Mark Pescetti View Post

    Interesting, huh?
    Very much so!

    Originally Posted by Mark Pescetti View Post

    What do ya think?
    I think any discussion about this here in the forum will be pretty one-sided, due to the main rule of the off-topic forum.

    As much as I'd enjoy discussing this, I definitely couldn't do it without breaking that rule.

    So all I will say is that I believe that there is a lot more to life than what we currently can perceive... and I'll leave it at that.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by Brandon Tanner View Post

      I think any discussion about this here in the forum will be pretty one-sided, due to the main rule of the off-topic forum.
      Sure we can discuss it. Life expectancy is a function of biology. It's like asking "Can we keep growing until we are 50 feet tall?" It's a function of biology. Life expectancy and past longevity are facts that can be recorded, and in the last few decades...verified.

      These questions have been largely answered. Some people have read the answers and the research...and some have not.

      Remember the threads about surviving consciousness? (there have been a few) We can debate that forever...because there simply isn't direct evidence to support a definitive answer.

      But you can measure a person's length of life on Earth. You can study the biological processes that make us age and die. There is no need for "mystery" here.

      But we keep thinking we are debating questions that have been largely answered...with real research. There is still a lot more to learn.

      Really, a little research can answer a lot of these questions.
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      • Profile picture of the author Brandon Tanner
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        There is still a lot more to learn.
        That part, I will definitely agree with you about.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
        Originally Posted by Mark Pescetti View Post

        "There is nothing in biology, yet found, that indicates the inevitability of death.

        Interesting, huh?

        What do ya think?

        Mark
        I bolded what I think might be the key to that notion. I think we can add a few years to our lives (or take a few off) by the attitudes we choose, but that's about it.

        I see no evidence in the rest of nature that "forever" is an option while wearing a biological garment.

        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        Remember the threads about surviving consciousness? (there have been a few) We can debate that forever...because there simply isn't direct evidence to support a definitive answer.
        In either direction, I might add. That doesn't seem to stop people from proclaiming their opinion about the matter as "the way it is" while inferring or declaring everyone else wrong.

        We're odd creatures, we humans. We will defend our beliefs, even unto death, when we have nothing but hand-me-down teachings and anecdotal evidence as proof of our convictions.

        Wish we were smarter, and less vain about being right.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    200 years ago people died at a much younger age overall. Today, thanks to the miracles of modern medicine and science, there are ways to help prolong life.
    I remember seeing a story of a man in maybe China or Tibet, he had not eaten or drunk anything for more than 40 years and was 110 (I think) at that time and was still alive. His mind had obviously become strong enough to sustain him.
    I think that is a fairly atypical case.

    BUT medicine enables people to live longer although it doesn't always mean quality of life is better. I am an avid Star Trek follower and imagine if today's life was like that. They can instantly heal many of today's ailments. People would live longer than they do today.

    In time lots of things will be possible that may seem to be fantasy or science fiction today.
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  • Profile picture of the author marketingva
    All I know is that my family, on both sides, lives to about 100 but they've lost their minds long before. I'd rather die younger and still be in my right mind.

    Bonnie
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I totally agree. I would rather die young, with my mind intact, than get Alzheimer's or any other form of mental incapacity.
    There's a saying.. "Of all the things I have lost, I treasure my mind the most."
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    There are about 9 reasons why we CAN'T live forever!

    1. MUTATION!
    2. TELOMERES
    3. OXIDATION, that can lead to all that.
    4. MAJOR DAMAGE ANYWHERE. MAJOR means like over 1/8" Healing is FAR from perfect.
    5. MINOR DAMAGE in certain areas, like the brain. Even near perfect healing is not good enough.
    6. BUILDUPS of toxins or GOOP.
    7. WEAR AND TEAR
    8. The reduction of support system efficiency.
    9. CANABALISM(The body will eat ITSELF over time, and repairs are often not as good.)

    Having said THAT, it seems people COULD conceivably live to be around 120 YO.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
      I will reply to this thread again in 100 years, then the skeptics will have to eat their words, (well their descendants at least)!

      I personally look a lot younger than l am, or most judge me to be about 15 years younger than l am, and the years don't seem to put much of a dent in that!


      But being a health nut, and believing that as others have stated, if our bodies regenerate every 7 years, then regeneration shouldn't happen.

      Or old age and death are universal conscious though-forms, that can either be accepted or rejected!

      Shane
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

        I will reply to this thread again in 100 years, then the skeptics will have to eat their words, (well their descendants at least)!

        I personally look a lot younger than l am, or most judge me to be about 15 years younger than l am, and the years don't seem to put much of a dent in that!


        But being a health nut, and believing that as others have stated, if our bodies regenerate every 7 years, then regeneration shouldn't happen.

        Or old age and death are universal conscious though-forms, that can either be accepted or rejected!

        Shane
        The idea about regeneration is a myth. even a SLIGHT bloodvessel, nerve. etc.. issue may not be fixed. My aorta STILL has an aneurysm. SURE some simple things like skin, blood, bone, etc... get repaired over time, but FAR from perfectly, and it is a PATCH job. The whole thing doesn't just get replaced. As I said earlier about size making a difference. That is one reason why they sew wounds. It is ALSO the reason for cadaver skin usage. It ISN'T simply to cover the wound. There are a lot of safer ways to do that. The idea is that it gets the skin to grow farther into the area AND, when it has gone far enough, it can meet in the middle and HOPEFULLY be like new skin. Still, it isn't perfect.

        As for APPEARANCE? That means LITTLE! I once new a girl that in just about every way seemed like maybe 14, but was in her thirties. Eventually though, it catches up to you. BTW **I** am often told that I look 15 years younger. I'm certainly NOT though.

        It is amazing if you REALLY think you can just say NO! OH, if that were true....

        Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author Kay King
          Re: Do we really have to die?
          I don't think so - I plan to live forever.

          So far - so good.:p
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        • Profile picture of the author Joel Young
          Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

          I once new a girl that in just about every way seemed like maybe 14, but was in her thirties.
          Wow, that would be awkward. Imagine any guy dating or marrying a woman like that. Anyone who didn't know the difference could seriously mess up the guy's life...

          As for whether we have to die... at this point in history, yes, we have to die. Someday, though, we never will. To discuss further would break a rule and cause mayhem.


          Jimmy was walking through a small town and saw an old man working in his yard. He asked the old man, "Hey, have you lived here all your life?" The old man responded, "Not yet!"
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

        But being a health nut, and believing that as others have stated, if our bodies regenerate every 7 years, then regeneration shouldn't happen.
        Shane: Um...What?

        Originally Posted by tagiscom View Post

        Or old age and death are universal conscious though-forms, that can either be accepted or rejected!

        Shane
        So...I can just reject getting old, and I'll live forever?

        Okey Dokey.


        By the way guys...

        I'm 58...I look 58...I feel 58...and most people guess my age at about 58.
        Someone has to admit it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Don Schenk
      Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

      There are about 9 reasons why we CAN'T live forever!
      2. TELOMERES... Steve
      I first read about telomeres maybe 10 years ago. These are the end-caps on chromosomes. Every time the cell divides to replace itself, the telomeres become a little bit shorter. This causes the cells to gradually wear out with each division.

      They are affected by peptides, small protein molecules produced in the brain. Different peptides are produced by different kinds of thinking - positive or negative, kind or loving, happy or angry...

      Peptides produced by negative emotion or negative thoughts cause more shortening of the telomeres than peptides from positive thoughts. Two scientists received the 2012 Nobel Prize for figuring out how this works.

      The folks at ted(dot)com also have tedmed(dot)com, and here is a video from one of those sessions, posted at Youtube...


      I also found this...
      "
      The brain is always evolving across the lifespan, and you can develop your mind to keep our brain younger. You can even change the very enzymes that support the chromosomes in your cells that keep your cells living longer called telomerase. We now have that study that’s available that shows that if you develop the ability to have “mindful attention” through mindfulness meditation, you can actually support the enzyme that helps telomeres, the ends of chromosomes, maintain themselves." Daniel Siegel, MD.

      http://futureofhealth.s3.amazonaws.c...ide/Siegel.pdf


      :-Don
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      • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        Shane: Um...What?



        So...I can just reject getting old, and I'll live forever?

        Okey Dokey.


        By the way guys...

        I'm 58...I look 58...I feel 58...and most people guess my age at about 58.
        Someone has to admit it.

        Drat, l was hoping no-one saw that, l meant to say, if we can generate every 7 years, then regeneration, shouldn't happen.


        As for the second part, l only say that because most guess me to be about 13 - 15 years younger than what l am, and eventhough l have noticed a slight decrease in physical activity, overall as the years roll by, there is little chance in that.

        I know someone who is fit and active can keel over, but l usually find that medical conditions bought about by inactivity or bad diet or dare l say it, mental attitude, plays a large part in when you keel over.

        As for willing myself to live forever, ask me again in 100 years, or get one of your kids to ask me!


        If l do keel over, l will certainly have a word with someone saying, "what is the big idea, l had this living forever thing licked, darn-it"!!!! :rolleyes:

        Shane
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by Don Schenk View Post

        I first read about telomeres maybe 10 years ago. These are the end-caps on chromosomes. Every time the cell divides to replace itself, the telomeres become a little bit shorter. This causes the cells to gradually wear out with each division.
        Yeah, I was kind of tired. Yeah, I know what telomeres are. I heard about them a while before that when I heard about progeria. Progeria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

        I believe one theory of finding was the reduced telomere size.

        FOR the record, I also said goop, for the plaque, fats, and cholesterol, etc.... that can clog arteries, etc... Support system meant like HGH, sex hormones, LH, etc.. genetic junk like antibodies against and parts of various viruses, etc... OK, I took short cuts.

        Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author goindeep
    Originally Posted by Mark Pescetti View Post

    I was thinking about how the human body is constantly regenerating itself.

    And as I was pondering that thought, I saw a quote. It said:

    "If you didn't know how old you are, how old would you be?"

    Ask yourself that question a few times. It gets trippy.

    So I'm sitting here at a coffeehouse and I went through some of my old research notes for a health product and found this:

    "There is nothing in biology, yet found, that indicates the inevitability of death. This suggests to me that it is NOT at all inevitable. It is only a matter of time before the biologists discover what it is that is causing us the trouble. And that terrible universal disease or temporariness of the human's body will be cured." - Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize Winning Quantum Physicist

    Interesting, huh?

    What do ya think?

    Mark
    Yes we do. All things grow, change and die. Right down to the very smallest of things and right up to the largest.
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  • Profile picture of the author celebcaleb
    I don't think we die. I think we are re-born and we are re-born to fulfill our life purpose.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
      A couple of questions come to mind:

      Why can't we fill our purpose during this life?

      Might there be some supporting evidence for the re-born idea? In all of the animal/plant kingdom, I have not seen this happen.

      I'm just asking.

      Joe Mobley



      Originally Posted by celebcaleb View Post

      I don't think we die. I think we are re-born and we are re-born to fulfill our life purpose.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joel Young
    I've packed about 85 years into 53.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by Joel Young View Post

      I've packed about 85 years into 53.
      Now that's something I can believe in.

      By the way, I see quite a lot of evidence that we can extend our useful years.

      I remember when 65 was almost a death sentence. Now, with exercise and some sensible eating habits...we can expect to be pretty vital into our 80s.

      I watched a Youtube video showing a Kung Fu master (he really was quite good) that the narrator said was 130 years old.

      But I knew him! I met him! He may have been 80 years old...maybe 82. Still fast..still strong....but not 130. I know, because I have videos of him performing when he was 40. And he said he was 40.

      In China, longevity is looked at as a badge of honor. Exaggeration of someone's age is pretty common, especially in the Chi Kung crowd. And with Chi Kung, some of it is exaggeration, some is real, some is out and out fraud. But to the uninitiated...it all looks equally real.

      The families know the real ages of these people, but to point it out would be dis-respectful.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        By the way, I see quite a lot of evidence that we can extend our useful years.
        Read Younger Next Year by Chris Crowley and Dr. Henry S. Lodge. It's why I took up biking again last year at age 57. Excellent read in more ways than one. It's all about becoming functionally younger.

        By the way, that's not an affiliate link.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joel Young
    This thread reminds me of a good motto I recently read:

    "We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing."
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Originally Posted by Joel Young View Post

      This thread reminds me of a good motto I recently read:

      "We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing."
      There's a saying among motorcycle riders (at least us old ones) "When you're young, you pick a destination to ride to. When you're old, your destination is to ride."
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      As you are I was, as I am you will be
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      Just when we thought we had it all figured out...

      Girl Who Never Ages Could Unravel Secret to Eternal Youth - ABC News
      These unfortunate kids age...they just don't mature.

      The title of the story may lead someone to think that these kids will live longer than we do, but they never have.

      I've notice that there are no stories of people with this condition in their 20's or older. Again, very sad.
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      • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        I've notice that there are no stories of people with this condition in their 20's or older. Again, very sad.
        Actually, right at the end of the story they showed a guy in his 20s with the same condition who looked like he was around 10 and a gal of 33, also looking around 10 or so. Unlike the 8-year old, they both appeared to be functional.
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    • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      Just when we thought we had it all figured out...

      Girl Who Never Ages Could Unravel Secret to Eternal Youth - ABC News
      I put this video up for a reason. I'll get to it in a sec.

      I always get a chuckle from people who appear to be so sure of certain things. I'm not saying I think we can live forever. I think all life runs in cycles and death is part of that. I do believe we can extend our present lifespans by a lot though.

      I almost always process from the large to the small. Looking at all of humanity we're pretty new at technology. Hell, relatively speaking we've only just discovered and implemented electricity and indoor plumbing. And when someone comes along says something can't be or isn't possible based on our present knowledge I just sigh.

      As a race we've doubled our lifespans in the past hundred years or so. I'm alive and typing this as a result of a medical procedure that wasn't even available 25 years ago. My point is that new information and new technology is sprouting up all the time proving and disproving all kinds of stuff.

      I found the video interesting because of the strangeness of "stagnant" youth. Why does this happen? What is the physiological cause? There have been a couple of posts here about limited cell regeneration and how it's inherently limited for some reason, at least that's how it appears now.

      Maybe these people with the oh, so slow aging going on have some genetic anomaly that can be identified and somehow hacked into our science and medicine. Maybe these people stuck in youth have internal cell generation programs that keep on ticking far longer than ours. Maybe that's the key to longer, healthier life.

      Anyway, I'm glad there are people out there with the desire to figure it out because we're all better off for their efforts.
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      • Profile picture of the author Joe Mobley
        Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

        As a race we've doubled our lifespans in the past hundred years or so.
        That is accurate.

        However, as Alexa has alluded to, in the past hundred years or so, as a race, we have not added 30 minutes to our life-capacity.

        I'm not saying this will not happen. I am saying that, right now it is a hurdle we can't even see over.

        Joe Mobley
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        • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
          Originally Posted by Joe Mobley View Post

          That is accurate.

          However, as Alexa has alluded to, in the past hundred years or so, as a race, we have not added 30 minutes to our life-capacity.
          Maybe that's because, in part, many of the so-called "cures" we're developing, especially pharmaceuticals, are far more lethal than the diseases we're supposed to be treating.
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

        As a race we've doubled our lifespans in the past hundred years or so.
        We have doubled life expectancy. We haven't changed the number of years a healthy person lives. There were people living to 90 and up 100 years ago, just not as many. But today, nobody is living twice that long. We are simply, as a species, healthier during our lifetimes.

        That's because we don't die from diseases as frequently, we do less stupid things like smoking and drinking heavily, and far fewer die at birth or from childhood diseases.

        I'm talking about developed countries.

        Maybe we'll live far longer lives in the future.
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  • Profile picture of the author KingTIP
    I think we all have to die sometime, even if we were able to live forever and look like we were 45 in the future. I want to live a long, happy life and then reflect on it before I go. That's all I need.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
    The problematic nature of our shelf life as humans basically boils down to the failure of our organs and body.

    That's being remedied however.

    Did you know humans will soon have the ability to transfer their brains to robotic devices?

    I'll choose death.

    I'd wager that something cool awaits me on the other side. But.. I'm in no particular rush to encounter what occurs.



    Works Cited:

    http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/geekq...171704192.html
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnyEnglish
    We all gonna die.. God created us to test us how deep our faithful to HIM. After we died we'll be revived and be ready to count our good/bad score. If you have good more than bad score you'll be placed in paradise.
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  • Profile picture of the author seonutshell
    Dude, the air we breathe is poisonous. It just takes 80-100 years to kill us.
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  • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
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    "It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled. -- Mark Twain

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  • Profile picture of the author KingArthur
    I am looking forward to the day when I transition from earth to heaven. To me the prospect of death is a welcomed event and I am only in my fifties.

    Here is a boy who has already been there and I have read many books of people who have been to heaven and back. There are also books like Life After Life, and Embraced by the Light which confirm there is life after this life on earth.

    You should Google in for the video interview about the guy who went to hell and back.

    I would rather you focus on heaven and how to get there and you do not become so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly good. Thinking like that is not realistic. You will become useful on earth as you focus on God and pleasing him.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3xItrGOi6Q

    Be sure you watch this one:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr83FhEp2rI
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  • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
    In a word, "Yes."
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    Project HERE.

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  • Profile picture of the author Fazal Mayar
    Everything dies on this planet including plants and animals. Its biology, all we can help is to help ourselves live longer but not eternally
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by Fazal Mayar View Post

      Everything dies on this planet including plants and animals. Its biology, all we can help is to help ourselves live longer but not eternally
      Not quite true. The energy out of which life arises doesn't die. It just takes different forms.
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  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    The great mystery for me is that one second after a person expires he still
    has all the physical components of a living person yet he is dead. Where
    did the "life" go and what is life really?

    -Ray Edwards
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Ten
    There is a book called Ending Aging that is by Michael Rae and Aubrey de Grey. I recommend that you read it.
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  • Profile picture of the author lcombs
    Well, Keith Richards is still on the right side of the dirt so, obviously, the answer is no, we don't have to die.
    Apparently we've had it wrong all along.
    The key to immortality is mass quantities of drugs and alcohol.
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