Hope I die before I get old

**~~The Silent Man~~** · 10-17-2010, 05:57 PM

Are we all agreed now that Europeans are living longer that it is better to end one's life early rather than suffer the indignities of old age?

**Crossbow** · 10-17-2010, 06:07 PM

I agree with you, I don't think old age will offer great things. There you sit, your friends have died, your wife/husband too maybe, and you're suffering corporal inconveniences or downright illnesses, and you are left alone with your memories nobody is interested in. One thing to rejoice are maybe your grandchildren, to see them growing up can give some comfort. But in case you don't have any family left...

**~~Eldritch~~** · 10-17-2010, 06:08 PM

I'm afraid it's too late for me now for that.

**~~Bloodeagle~~** · 10-17-2010, 06:34 PM

I do believe that a person should have a right to assisted suicide, if they so desire!
If I can grow old and die unexpectedly like most of my older relatives, then I would like to live as long as possible!

**Loki** · 10-17-2010, 07:09 PM

Old age needn't be indignant. Many people these days live productive lives well into their 80's. It is also a fact that older people are happier and more content than younger people.

**Grumpy Cat** · 10-17-2010, 09:09 PM

I'm not saving up for retirement because I don't plan on living that long.

**Piparskeggr** · 10-18-2010, 12:24 AM

Well, I hope to break my family's record of 113 years old. There are things I'd like to do, regardless of whether or not I have a peer group. Besides my wife, I do not have much regard for folks within my age range.

My nieces and nephews are interested in the family history, so I believe that their children will be also.

Luckily, there is no history of Alzheimer's in my family, and "senile dementia" appears to set in just a few months before the end.

**Electronic God-Man** · 10-18-2010, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by Loki

Old age needn't be indignant. Many people these days live productive lives well into their 80's. It is also a fact that older people are happier and more content than younger people.

For instance, I know of tons of old ass professors who (usually) still have their wits (or what wits they had to begin with) about them well into their 80s. Still teaching, still writing, etc.

Yes, I hope to be productive and healthy and live to be 103. I'll fight death to the death. :d

**Piparskeggr** · 10-18-2010, 01:12 AM

I read an article about the remaining US WW One vet. He is 109.

When asked how he made it that far, he replied, when you feel like dying, don't. He also likes to have 1 cigar and 1 glass of whiskey each day. He still travels to speak of his experiences; lives on the the farm he bought after the war (cared for by family).

**Svipdag** · 10-18-2010, 03:09 AM

I'm not sure what advantage there is in having a good-looking corpse. In fact, I've never seen a good-looking corpse. Anyhow, whoever said "Getting old is not for sissies." definitely knew what he was talking about. There's damn' little in this old body of mine that doesn't hurt at some time during the day.

It may well be an illusion that "I" am some sort of an entity which is different
from the body. But all of this pain which belongs to the body somehow doesn't seem to be part of ME. It's a nuisance and an inconvenience to me, something inflicted on the "real me" by something which isn't me.This feeling
may be an illusion, but, if so,it's a powerful illusion.

I have often thought that the infirmities of old age have a purpose. Namely, to resign us to the prospect of death.They are not yet sufficient to make me welcome death. At present,they're only a damned nuisance. I staunchly deny, however,that old age is the "golden age." That is nothing but self deception. Old age is to be tolerated, not relished.

My curiosity remains undiminished and unsatisfied. I am sure that I could cope with, if not immortality, at least a good deal more longevity before I became jaded, if only 'tweren't for the deterioration of this creaky old body.

I don't fear death. What I do fear, though, is helplessness and dependency.
I have visited too many elderly relatives in nursing homes and seen how they exist. I said "exist", not "live", for that is no life. I understand too well what
my 99-year-old aunt, Olivia, meant when she said of her existence in a nursing home, that it was "helvede på Jorden" [hell on Earth], for that is surely what it would be to me. May I be spared that !