Life Extension
Live long enough to realize the consequences
Reversing the aging process and extending the average lifespan of humans is a hot new research field. Many people, particularly the super rich, have always desired to live longer. Many impoverished individuals do not live long enough due to inevitable constraints on nutrition, work conditions, and even social and geopolitical circumstances. But some of those who have the money want to live longer so they can enjoy life. Enjoy what?
If one ignores the world's suffering and enjoys their life and possessions, living longer may make sense. They may also believe that extending their lifespan will benefit transhumanity, the future merging of humans and machines. However, for most people, life extension will serve as a harsh punishment, forcing them to face the consequences of their choices. Indeed, if there is a valid rationale for extending the average life span, it could potentially serve as a form of punishment for certain individuals. This could encompass certain politicians, businesspeople, and others who, through their marketing strategies, portray themselves as the world's saviours.
Anti-aging medicine could turn into big business in a rapidly declining civilization that has not figured out yet how to evade basic constraints imposed by nature. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could accelerate breakthroughs in genetic testing to identify mutations that contribute to senescence and develop regenerative medications. But for whom? Only the super rich will be able to afford the treatments and, if effective, realize the benefits.
Who wants to live longer? The super rich mostly want this. Many Roman Emperors died in battles because they believed that their sacrifice would make a difference. In today's world, some people think that by living long they will make a difference, or at least enjoy what they have made. Values have changed, and illusions are prevalent. This has contributed to a vicious misallocation of resources. Instead of trying to ease the suffering of a large part of the population of this planet, the focus is on technologies that will improve the lifestyle of the rich and hopefully extend longevity.
One speculative reason for extending life is for space travel and making it interplanetary. However, considering the limitations of our current propulsion systems and the vast distances to potentially habitable planets, interplanetary life remains a distant possibility.