The end of work + the end of aging ...

[PsychoBabble]

I came across an interesting short article on "The End of Aging" in FUTURISM.

I've given a bit of thought to "the end of work" -- that is, what happens to an Earth economy built mostly on consumerism ... when there are no longer enough jobs to support said consumerism?

One suggestion is moving to an economic Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI), or Universal Basic Income (UBI) model -- each some version of a guaranteed income to provide a floor of sustenance -- and creating more personal freedom to engage in work by/of choice vs necessity. There are many ideas about how this may spin out, none proven -- plus concerns about what happens to us emotionally/culturally when "work ethic" is by choice, and not a survival issue.

Beyond that, this recent Futurism article made me think about another aspect of this challenge -- either stand-alone, or in combination with UBI ...

What happens to our economy when people live damn near forever -- and fewer "replacements" are needed in the job market?

The aging article doesn't go into as much depth as I would like -- but it is the kind of topic we need some serious thinking about in society, vs. most of the other "don't steal MY cookies" nonsense we seem to spend our time on.

Our societies have been catapulted into a high-speed danger zone, because the normal pace of change that has historically allowed us to integrate these shifts has been overrun by the rapidity with which technology grows.

===

We Need to Prepare for a World Without Aging
https://futurism.com/we-need-to-prepare-for-a-world-without-aging/

Modern science is bringing us ever closer to a day when aging is no longer a concern. However, with our increasing life-spans come challenges and questions we must be prepared to face ...

... Would slowing aging — or even eliminating it — change what it means to be a human? Humans are already quite self-centered as a species (prioritizing our own survival and standard of living over the planet itself and many other species). The planet can only sustain so many humans comfortably, and it’s currently strained as it is. If fewer people died, that would crowd us even more.

There’s also the argument that new generations become more progressive and open to change versus older generations. Without the older population dying off, there’s less potential for different perspectives and new ideas. Dying also gives our lives meaning in regards to time — when time is a finite resource, we cherish it more.

From the opposite side, research into anti-aging will make us healthier in the last years of our lives, making healthcare less expensive for the elderly. Medical research has had to focus on many diseases and conditions, but if the focus is on aging itself, hopefully the potential to develop those diseases will diminish.

We can also greatly benefit from the experience and wisdom of older people as a society. It’s detrimental to science to ignore these avenues of research. Anti-aging research also can lead to other research, such as how to sustain bigger populations.