Why We Should Grow Old
If your plugged in to the realms of super nerd-dom like I am then you might of heard of Ray Kurzweils singularity. Mr. Kurzweils contention is that the accelerated rate of technological progress is leading to a boundary point, or singularity, that will mark a fundamental change in human history. Sometime around 2050, by his reckoning, things will progress to the point where biological aging can be reversed and technological enhancements to our minds will enable us to evolve to a new level of human consciousness. I might go into how likely I think this scenario is in the future but suffice it to say that since Ray started making these predictions in the early eighties his track record has been quite prescient and his anticipation of trends in technology have made him a wealthy man. The proof is always in the pudding. My main interest is in one aspect of his prediction, the control of aging. I think most folks in their 70's or older would definitely opt for a younger more functional body but what about 18 year olds? Would they opt to never experience the process of aging? I think this would be a mistake for a number of reasons. At the heart of the problem I think is the mind body connection. Increasingly AI folks and philosophers who study consciousness have begun to realize that having a body is necessary for having a mind. We have all seen bodies without a mind, say a dead human being or a rock, but have you ever seen a mind without a body? The sensory experiences we have are fundamental in forming the patterns of our mind. I would argue that the wisdom that comes with time is not simply the acquisition of experience in general. It also must include the biological aspects of the aging process. For example when a man passes from young adult hood to middle age testosterone levels fall and physical strength diminishes slightly. This leads to a cooling off of the sex drive and the aggression of youth and opens one up to new possibilities in relationships with women, new possibilities of contemplative thought, etc. As one passes into old age and the loss of physical vitality one can attain a deeper appreciation of ones life, the lives of others, and a deeper empathy for the vulnerability of ones fellow beings. This is of course from a male perspective but there are correlaries for female aging. I think these types of experiences are necessary to form a fully mature human mind. I think a world populated by eternal 18 year olds that never experienced the physical slings and arrows of time might be a pretty scary place. In that not too distant possible future I think reaching a ripe old age should be a prerequisite for receiving the boon of eternal youth.
