What if we overcome ageing?

[Jason]

Well, one of the obstacles facing this goal is simply mathematical. We don't have a sufficiently powerful mathematics to allow us to describe, characterize, predict and ultimately design robust solutions for enabling certain biosystems to prosper and others to die. The question of whether we can reach such math, or even if it exists at all, is something that cannot be known currently. Lacking the math, it's a continual series of lighting two fires to put out one.

I like to say that the truth doesn't issue promissory notes in lieu of actual results. Only an idiot claims that this or that milestone will be reached without massive qualifications on the statement.

I didn't understand a word of that. I think the word mathematical froze my brain.
I just got the red bit.
Does putting "I think" count as a massive qualification?

It does little to qualitatively alter my assessment of your thinking, no, not in that aspect it doesn't. Or at least, I don't think it does. Do you?

The simple translation of what she wrote is 'too many variables'.

[Audley Strange]

I read a sci-fi book a while back and in it there was a race where the old hunt the young. I'm thinking it was called "The Algebraist"

[rasetsu]

No, the simple translation is that if you believe that adding the words "I think" before a statement of opinion is qualification of that opinion, you're either an idiot or an ESL student.

[mistermack]

No, the simple translation is that if you believe that adding the words "I think" before a statement of opinion is qualification of that opinion, you're either an idiot or an ESL student.

That's very poor thinking. It's not a qualification of an opinion. It MAKES it into an opinion.

If I say someone is an idiot, I'm claiming it's a fact.

If I say that I think they are an idiot, THEN I'm saying that I hold that opinion. My opinion is not fixed. It can be changed by new evidence. I'm just saying that given the evidence I've seen so far, at the moment, I think that that person is an idiot.

That is HUGELY different from just saying, "that person is an idiot".

The words "I think" have transformed a bald unsupported claim, to a statement of current opinion.

[charlou]

I have no idea what living for .. well far longer than I expect to live would be like. There's much more to it than just the physical health/youthfulness aspect, some of which others have mentioned. If I were to enjoy centuries of living, I think the life I live would have to be, or at least very much perceived by me to be, in a fairly constant state of idyllic positive feedback loop, whatever that may consist of. That takes more than engineering human longevity; more than me and everyone else having fit, young bodies. We'd have to manipulate everything in our environment in order to achieve that goal, and to maintain it. Is that achievable?

[Jason]

I expect as a person approaches infinite age the probability that their only topic of interest will be grammar approaches 1.

[JimC]

John Wyndham wrote an interesting SF book, "The Trouble with Lichen" on the discovery of an anti-aging treatment...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Trouble_with_Lichen

[Bella Fortuna]

John Wyndham wrote an interesting SF book, "The Trouble with Lichen" on the discovery of an anti-aging treatment...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Trouble_with_Lichen

That does look worth a look.

[rasetsu]

[Audley Strange]

All I ask is this, if we do succeed in retarding or stopping ageing can we make sure we bump off Paul McCartney before-hand? I've been sick of that prick since "call me up" and don't want him anywhere near the coronation of future Solar Empress and Transexual blood warrior Zokki5 LulzWinsor Bin Laden or singing Hey Jude at the nano-hallucinogenic meta-voice olympics.

[Cormac]

I expect as a person approaches infinite age the probability that their only topic of interest will be grammar approaches 1.

[Cormac]

Moorcock's "Dancers at the End of Time" is a great exploration of this, and a good read too. One of my favourites.

[rasetsu]

Moorcock's "Dancers at the End of Time" is a great exploration of this, and a good read too. One of my favourites.

Did you say Moor cock?

[Cormac]

Moorcock's "Dancers at the End of Time" is a great exploration of this, and a good read too. One of my favourites.

Did you say Moor cock?

Yep.

(In Gaeilge it means big Weiner*)







*Not really

[Cormac]

Moorcock's "Dancers at the End of Time" is a great exploration of this, and a good read too. One of my favourites.

Did you say Moor cock?

Yep.

(In Gaeilge it means big Weiner*)







*Not really