How many old people can the world support?

[kiki5711]

So, you accept the trust fund granny set up for you, but don't want to be bothered with her around too much? Or do you mean the poor ones on social security?

[Atheist-Lite]

So, you accept the trust fund granny set up for you, but don't want to be bothered with her around too much? Or do you mean the poor ones on social security?

I'm not suggesting anything radical. The withdrawal of medical intervention from the elderly is a act of compassion when age related diseases can lead to long suffering. I would say older people of some means are being kept alive, with unnecessary suffering, even now because medical authorites are draining their wealth away. If clear guidelines and simple regulations put a limit on the kinds of medical interventions for the elderly this would free up medical resources for the younger, fitter citizens within a society? these who have not yet had a life? For the old a good death does not have to be prolonged into months and even years as is the case now? and there is a tradeoff even now between resources given the old and the young....I am saying investment in tommorow is a priority and I'm sure many older people would aggree that it is wrong to put themselves before the youngsters in a lifeboat with limited places?

[kiki5711]

I guess you're right. From your point of view I should be on the chopping block any day now.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

In Mish's absence I will be glad to be the forum baby-sitter.

[Don't Panic]

Anyone who requires the constant or near-constant care and attention of another person should be culled.

They are no longer useful, take an otherwise productive person out of the workforce, and are using up already dwindling resources.

This isn't a joke.

[Atheist-Lite]

Anyone who requires the constant or near-constant care and attention of another person should be culled.

They are no longer useful, take an otherwise productive person out of the workforce, and are using up already dwindling resources.

This isn't a joke.

Given the serious and potentialy intractable problems and the need to turn a growth economy into a sustainable one before a societal crash leads to the end of civilization. The imperative we have to rectify damages that we, as species, have already inflicted on the fragile web of life then yes we need to think the unthinkable. Yes! this is not a joke now.

[kiki5711]

we should then also think about getting rid of useless drug addicts and alcoholics that take up time and medication of which most time they can't afford. Don't matter of the age.

[Clinton Huxley]

Last I checked, the elderly still had the vote. So is this ever increasing demographic going to vote in less health care for itself? Not likely.

[Atheist-Lite]

we should then also think about getting rid of useless drug addicts and alcoholics that take up time and medication of which most time they can't afford. Don't matter of the age.

I'm not pushing the envelope here although there may be ways of giving long term drug addicts a good death they appreciate in suicide booths with their favourite entertainments and going out on the drug of their choice? I don't think any death should be by cohersion....I am interested in reducing numbers by consent, after people have maturely recognised the population problem.

[Rum]

I think us 60 year olds (and older) should have the right to cull young people who come up with dumbass stupid ideas.

You are talking about human beings here, not battery chickens.

[Don't Panic]

we should then also think about getting rid of useless drug addicts and alcoholics that take up time and medication of which most time they can't afford. Don't matter of the age.

Yep, along with the mentally infirm, gypsies, murderers, rapists and all other undesirables.

[Clinton Huxley]

The problem is not too many pensioners, it's too few youngsters. Perhaps we could impose fines on women who don't have 4 or more children...

[Rum]

we should then also think about getting rid of useless drug addicts and alcoholics that take up time and medication of which most time they can't afford. Don't matter of the age.

Yep, along with the mentally infirm, gypsies, murderers, rapists and all other undesirables.

By George, Hitler had is right all along!

[kiki5711]

we should then also think about getting rid of useless drug addicts and alcoholics that take up time and medication of which most time they can't afford. Don't matter of the age.

Yep, along with the mentally infirm, gypsies, murderers, rapists and all other undesirables.

perhaps all the jews, christians and muslims as well. their idiotic beliefs are just holding up progress. ANd last but not least, all the poor uneducated Africans. All they do is keep a hand out for more.

let's see anyone left?

[maiforpeace]

So, you accept the trust fund granny set up for you, but don't want to be bothered with her around too much? Or do you mean the poor ones on social security?

I'm not suggesting anything radical. The withdrawal of medical intervention from the elderly is a act of compassion when age related diseases can lead to long suffering. I would say older people of some means are being kept alive, with unnecessary suffering, even now because medical authorites are draining their wealth away. If clear guidelines and simple regulations put a limit on the kinds of medical interventions for the elderly this would free up medical resources for the younger, fitter citizens within a society? these who have not yet had a life? For the old a good death does not have to be prolonged into months and even years as is the case now? and there is a tradeoff even now between resources given the old and the young....I am saying investment in tommorow is a priority and I'm sure many older people would aggree that it is wrong to put themselves before the youngsters in a lifeboat with limited places?

If those older people care enough all they need to do is write a living will. In fact, this applies to anyone who is being kept alive unnecessarily. Do you have a living will, Kevin?

It's not just the medical profession who is guilty of those unnecessary interventions - it's their family members who can't live with the idea that their loved one is going to die, or that they didn't do everything humanly possible to keep them alive.