That’s the wrong crowd, many of them are no longer young and vigorous, but full of stereotypes. You know, old dog, new tricks. Here is a better question to someone in their 20s or 30s:
Let’s imagine that everyone, including your friends and family, can stay young, healthy and energetic for centuries or millennia, as long as they want.
Further assume that the living conditions have not measurably deteriorated compared to what they are now, due to say, global climate change, overpopulation or other environmental and political issues.
Do you expect to decide to die by the time you are in your 80s?
People have already done this, and the answer people give is very often that, yes, they still don’t want live past 80, and you’ve almost certainly heard people say this many times.
It’s time to start entertaining the hypothesis that they’re expressing their true preferences.
I’ve asked quite a few people this question, even older people. I don’t have wider statistics on it (maybe you do and if so I’d be interested in seeing them) but the people I ask very rarely say they would not like to live longer if they could stay young and be with their friends and families. I have even been told yes by some very religious people in their seventies.
That’s the wrong crowd, many of them are no longer young and vigorous, but full of stereotypes. You know, old dog, new tricks. Here is a better question to someone in their 20s or 30s:
Let’s imagine that everyone, including your friends and family, can stay young, healthy and energetic for centuries or millennia, as long as they want.
Further assume that the living conditions have not measurably deteriorated compared to what they are now, due to say, global climate change, overpopulation or other environmental and political issues.
Do you expect to decide to die by the time you are in your 80s?
People have already done this, and the answer people give is very often that, yes, they still don’t want live past 80, and you’ve almost certainly heard people say this many times.
It’s time to start entertaining the hypothesis that they’re expressing their true preferences.
Link?
I’ve asked quite a few people this question, even older people. I don’t have wider statistics on it (maybe you do and if so I’d be interested in seeing them) but the people I ask very rarely say they would not like to live longer if they could stay young and be with their friends and families. I have even been told yes by some very religious people in their seventies.