By Will Humans Live Longer in the Future? Let’s start with a simple question: Do you want to live to see the year 3000? If you’re nodding yes, I assume you either have some crazy party plans for that millennium or you’re banking on humans living much longer in the future. Either way, we’ve got you covered.
The Past and the Pretty Recent Past
First, a history lesson (don’t worry, it’s brief). For much of human history, people didn’t live very long. If you made it to 30 without being eaten by a saber-toothed tiger or tripping over a rock, you were the older adult in the tribe. “Look at Oog! He’s got all his teeth! What a legend!“
But thanks to the magic of medicine, hygiene (yes, soap, you’re the real MVP), and, more recently, avoiding texting while walking, our life spans have shot up in the last few centuries.
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Where We’re Heading
You’re probably thinking, “But what about the future?” Here’s the scoop. Many scientists believe that as technology and medicine advance at breakneck speeds, humans could live much longer than our current three-score and ten (or roughly 80 if you’re not into biblical math).
We’re working on growing organs in labs, editing our DNA with CRISPR technology to eliminate genetic diseases, and perfecting avocado toast for maximum health benefits. (Okay, not the last one, but a human can dream.)
But… and It’s a Big But
Here’s the catch: just because we can doesn’t mean we should. Living longer might sound appealing, but imagine how many times you’d have to hear Grandpa’s “back in my day” stories.
Plus, our planet is already straining with the current population. If people start living to 150, we’ll need a lot more retirement homes and a lot more episodes of our favorite shows to binge-watch.
The Verdict
In all seriousness, while it’s fascinating to speculate about the longevity wonders of the future, the quality of life is just as important as its quantity. And for now, while we might not be sipping tea in the year 3000, we can at least appreciate our progress and avocado toasts in the present.
So, will humans live longer in the future? Signs point to yes. Will you need to save up for 70 years of retirement? Only time will tell. Until then, watch out for those saber-toothed tigers. They’re sneaky.
