This might not be a good enough reason to oppose longevity tech, but I don’t think it’s easily disposed of.
I think it is quite easily disposed of. Either the lifespans available at the present day just happen to be exactly what they should be, to be a suitable last resort for culling the truly evil by culling everyone, or they should be less, or they should be more. The first is merely status quo bias, the second requires implementing some shortevity measures (e.g. spread cholera everywhere and outlaw treatment for it), and the third requires longevity research.
Inevitable death might even work the other way also. I wonder if any attempts to overthrow Mugabe have been deterred by the thought that he will probably be dead within ten years anyway?
Inevitable death might even work the other way also. I wonder if any attempts to overthrow Mugabe have been deterred by the thought that he will probably be dead within ten years anyway?
Furthermore, a unaging Mugabe would know this, and might be a better leader to prevent a revolution robbing him of 1000 years of life.
Very true. It’s obvious to most political analysts that African countries are in trouble because each set of leaders that comes into power goes for the short-term gains. To a leader with sufficient longevity, one has to think this would eventually become evident. Sort of the “immortal bandit” version of the “stationary bandit” theory.
I think it is quite easily disposed of. Either the lifespans available at the present day just happen to be exactly what they should be, to be a suitable last resort for culling the truly evil by culling everyone, or they should be less, or they should be more. The first is merely status quo bias, the second requires implementing some shortevity measures (e.g. spread cholera everywhere and outlaw treatment for it), and the third requires longevity research.
Inevitable death might even work the other way also. I wonder if any attempts to overthrow Mugabe have been deterred by the thought that he will probably be dead within ten years anyway?
Furthermore, a unaging Mugabe would know this, and might be a better leader to prevent a revolution robbing him of 1000 years of life.
Very true. It’s obvious to most political analysts that African countries are in trouble because each set of leaders that comes into power goes for the short-term gains. To a leader with sufficient longevity, one has to think this would eventually become evident. Sort of the “immortal bandit” version of the “stationary bandit” theory.