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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
January 8, 2008
/ 1 Shevat 5768
100 Years Is Enough for Me, Pal
By
Tom Purcell
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Ah, the New Year is upon us, a time to make predictions about the future.
Here's one that has me worried: human beings may eventually live a really long
time.
According to the World Future Society, we are in the early phases of a
superlongevity revolution. Thanks to advances in nanotechnology and cell and gene
manipulation, scientists may eventually learn how to keep humans alive from
120 to 500 years.
Which prompts an important question: Do we really want to live that long?
Sure a longer life would have its upside. I'd love to have my parents around
forever. I'd love to swing by for Sunday dinner for at least 100 years more.
It would be great if we were able to keep fellows like Jimmy Stewart, Johnny
Carson and Dean Martin around.
It would be even better if we were able to keep around great minds, such as
Einstein, who could unlock the mysteries of the universe.
But a longer life would have its downside. Do we really want baby boomers,
who are now beginning to retire, to vote government benefits for themselves
for several hundred years?
And what of our younger generations, kids who are notorious slackers? Mother
to son in year 2075: You're 100 years old! Isn't it time you move out and
get a job!
I'm 45 and already showing signs of fatigue. In my experience, life is
largely made up of colds, bills, speeding tickets and people who let you down.
These experiences are connected together by a series of mundane tasks. The
drudgeries are occasionally interrupted by a wonderful meal, a really good laugh
or a romantic evening with a lovely woman.
Then the mundane stuff starts all over again.
If we live 100 years or more, how are we going to pay for it? Living is
expensive. Are we going to work 50 years, retire, burn through our nest egg, then
sling hamburgers for a century or two?
On one hand, I think it's great we humans are getting better at improving
our health and life spans. But on the other hand I know this: DYING is what
makes life most worth living.
Would you enjoy a movie if you knew it was going to play for 24 hours? No,
what makes the movie enjoyable is its ending. And it better end within two
hours or we all start squirming in our seats.
The key to human happiness, you see, is not an abundance of a thing, but the
lack of it. Doesn't pie taste better when we know it's the last slice?
Doesn't a football game capture our attention more when it is the last of the
season the one that determines who goes out the winner and who goes out the
loser? Isn't a comedian funnier when he exits the stage BEFORE we want him to
go?
Hey, futurists, I'm not sure we want to stick around too long. If you
believe in G-d, as I do, this is just a testing ground anyhow. This is just
practice. It's like two-a-day football drills. We must first prove ourselves during
the agony of summer practice to earn our rights to play in the big game. Do
we really want to spend 500 hundred years running wind-sprints in summer
practice?
When I look up to the stars, I can't help but sense there are better places
to go. But it's not until we check out of Hotel Earth that we're able to
enjoy a place with more amenities and better service. My religion says that place
is Heaven, which I figure I'll get to sooner or later after doing a tour
of that other place.
Though I don't think Purgatory will be so bad. Most of my friends will be
there.
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ARCHIVES
© 2007, Tom Purcell
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