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In reply to the discussion: Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel - Rahm's brother comes under fire for ethics on view of people over 75, no value [View all]jwirr
(39,215 posts)have fallen for the idea that we are going to be able to live way past 100 years old. Every time I hear that I ask if I am going to be able to do the things I am doing right now at that age. He points out that so far that has not proved to be the case.
He also points out that there is nothing wrong with letting life take its course and enjoying what you have left of it. In other words don't worry about how productive you are going to be. Enjoy life.
Another point is that as we age we add disabilities. Anyone over 50 actually understands this. You start to ache, you get diabetes, you develop some other disease. Since the age of 50 everything has been slowly going down hill no matter how hard you work at it. It is a natural process. Every living thing has this same process. All the medical "progress" that has prolonged life and the aches is not going to change it for any of us. This is why many of us have a living will that asks that those so called miracles of science not be used.
And finally I like it where he says there are a lot of ways to contribute until the end of your life and they are part of living an active life. I find myself limiting what I can do even here on DU. I often have to ask for help from those of you who are more able. I am just thankful many of you are willing to help.
All I hear him saying here is that the theory that we are going to be able to live to 150 years old in the future is totally wrong and leading us to make some really unrealistic decisions about life.