Longevity Escape Velocity: How It Could Change Our Future
Are you ready for Longevity Escape Velocity (LEV) when it comes? Not familiar with this concept.
LEV is the idea that technological breakthroughs will increase the average life expectancy faster than the time that goes by. The example is often cited is that the life expectancy will increase more than a year with each year that goes by.
Of course, this is an average and does not protect people from individual mishaps that could end their lives in a quicker period of time. Nevertheless, when looking at the totality of what is taking place, we could see the burst for vastly longer lives.
At present, billions are being invested in the longevity movement. What once was seen as something outlandish and a waste of money is starting to generate a huge amount of legitimacy. Many billionaires are dumping large sums of money into this arena. The number of companies that are embarking upon research is growing into the hundreds. Just a few years ago, this was in the dozens.
One of the core issues with this, along with most other radical advancements, is the convergence of technology. This is a powerful mechanism that creates improvements by "orders of magnitude". We saw this happen, primarily, in the digital world with the advancements in computers and other associated devices. Now, we are seeing it spread much wider.
We are witnessing the intersecting of cloud computing, sensors, AI, robotics, biotech, and nanotech. All these are networked together to create an even more powerful system.
In the United States, the average life expectancy in 1900 was 46.3 for males and 48.3 for females. That means, 120 years ago, there was a good chance you did not live to see 50.
By 1998, a century later, these numbers were 73.8 and 79.5 respectively. This was a radical jump in 100 years.
https://u.demog.berkeley.edu/~andrew/1918/figure2.html
Obviously, there are many factors that go into this. A massive drop in infant mortality rates had a great deal to do with it. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that people are living longer today than ever before.
The key to all of this is the time that the advancement took place. What if, instead of 100 years, we see a similar jump in 20? How would that affect things? With all the money being pumped into this industry, along with the related ones listed, we can see how it is possible.
What would happen if you lived another 30 years more than expected? How would this change things individually and for society? Think about that for a second: is your retirement funded to the point it could cover you for another 40 years as opposed to 10?
How will all of this alter investing? The most obvious point is that, for those with assets, it does allow for more growth. Compounding is affected by time, hence, giving out money another few decades to grow is exciting. That is, of course, if we have enough money to live on.
We truly are in an interconnected world these days. This is especially true when it comes to investing. The idea that we can look at things in isolation and make sensible decision is passe. Today, it requires us stepping back and understanding the many different elements that are taking place.
Companies are now able to rise up very quickly, going from zero to a billion dollars. Instead of waiting decades for this to happen, it can take place in a matter of a couple years.
Human health and longevity are no different. We are going to see radical changes over the next decade in this area. How soon until we reach LEV? That is a good question with estimates being all over the board. Some of the more aggressive ones put it in the early 2030s.
Just consider the impact of that.
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Posted via Steemleo
I actually worry about this a lot. I think people living too long could be a very big problem. It's the kind of thing that could very easily create a kind of stagnation when it comes to our evolution. Older folks have a very hard time transitioning to the current age. Eventually everyone gets stuck in the past.
I've already seen firsthand how difficult it can be for the older generations. I had a very brief job once teaching seniors how to use basic functionality on their iPhones and how to create an account on Facebook and such. It's not intuitive to them AT ALL! Can you imagine what it would be like teaching a 200 year old to calibrate their own 3D-printer?
Death is a part of life; a very important part. I think as the average lifespan goes up weird unpredictable things will start happening, and it won't be good.
I don't think you have to worry too much about it. Insurance isn't likely to cover ongoing longevity treatment into perpetuity. There will be limits set in place that will only allow for the wealthiest elderly people to keep it going.
This is intended only for the upper class right now and will likely remain that way, since they control the laws of societies. I'd be surprised if this ever becomes an option for people outside of the wealthiest 1%.
"technological breakthroughs will increase the average life expectancy faster than the time that goes by"
i agree with that statement,i believe that when there is a technological advancement in the health sector that would of course help to find solutions on how the average life expectancy can become higher..just used the health sector as an example....
Posted via Steemleo
@technology seems to keep getting more powerful,and now it seems it now makes an increase in lifespan to become possible,fifty years ago who would have thought that would happen??
Posted via Steemleo