Many societies around the world are aging into high numbers. What’s more, medical science and its advances are at it again, filling the heads of seniors with the crazy (even scary) idea that many more of us living today could make it to 100 years (I for one would like a second opinion).
As another year comes to an end, longevity is a nice thing to contemplate rationally, as long as you can still contemplate rationally.
According to recent U.S. federal health data, the number of Americans age 100 and older still living today is up by over 45 percent since 2000. So if you don’t mind bingo games and amateur magicians along with your Jello, it could be your future!
Keep in mind the fossil record of Homo erectus. If he made it to age 24, the pandemonium on the savanna would go on for weeks. And it wasn’t that long ago when our stooped, asthmatic Victorian forebears were dying at around age 42. (And who could blame them with no indoor plumbing?) But also remember, Adam was 112 when he had his first child. Nutritionists and theologians are still trying to figure out what was in that apple he ate.
So, the history for centenarians goes way back. And today, longer life is our next evolutionary hurdle. The real question is: How do you know if you’re going to live to be 100? Or even 90. A question I’m sure occurs to you while you’re twisting through another set of pilates.
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