Land of Oz

Life and Death?

I was just wondering how life would be changed if everyone knew exactly when they were going to die. Say, a lifetime was 59 years and barring a serious accident or starving to death or something like that, you would live until the fourth month of your 59th year when you would simple die. There would be no illness or mental deterioration, just death at age 59.

Try to imagine what the consequences of that would mean? You wouldn't wonder how long you lived or worry about getting sick and dying slow. Would there be a retirement age? Would people quit working around 50 and have the last 9 years to enjoy as they see fit? Think of the changes in business and banking and insurance.

What would medicine be like? There wouldn't be heart attacks or high blood pressure or cancer. There'd be accidents. What kind of risks would people take if they knew that barring being run over by a bus, they'd live until they were 59. How would family life be? Would the grandparents stay with the family? I wonder if people would marry sooner or later? I think it would probably be later so a couple could enjoy themselves before the kids came. After all, if you waited for a kid until you were 30, you'd still have 9 year to enjoy by yourself after the kid moves out at 20.

I think a finite lifetime would change life in unimaginable ways. This is kind of a strange thought, but hey - I have 8 years left...

2fers: Cafe 59 and DDG-59