How many old people can the world support?

[Atheist-Lite]

Funny how no-one wants to put their own demographic up for sacrifice.

Euthanasing all Kevin's would of course make a sizeable impression on unnecessary waste, they would naturally see how rational the suggestion is.

The facts are given the choice in a reasoned and sensible way most will make the right choice.

Do this in a way which appeals to the natural responsibility of the average Kevin and they will know the right thing to do.

Yes, but that may be later and delaying the demise of all kevins by a few years is a act of great compassion; whilst removing them all at once is a worse evil than the necessity I encourage here.

[Pappa]

That doesn't prove a net drain.

Oooookaaayyyy....

It only covers heath care expenditure. It doesn't cover everything they add and remove from the economy, only a small subset of it.

Okay, let me put this in context. 20% of the American population above the age of 65 is employed. America? Bit of a giant standout from, say, Europe, where it hovers between, oh, 0-3% for the most part.

Hence the facepalms. Failing that way, kinda intense.

If we want to keep extending life, we have to keep extending quality of life. It's just as important, if not more, and it's really not hard to see.

I agree with that completely about the bolded bit, but my question was about whether old people are a net drain on the economy. Unfortunately, I can't remember where I read it, but I read a few months ago that in certain parts of the world old people are actually beneficial to the economy and not a net drain. If I can find the source I'll post the text.

[Atheist-Lite]

A economy basd on infinite growth is not something to be admired. The old are a net drain on the reality of the situation when a sustainable no-growth economy is considered. How obvious to the reality of the situation does the reality need to be?

[Pappa]

A economy basd on infinite growth is not something to be admired. The old are a net drain on the reality of the situation when a sustainable no-growth economy is considered. How obvious to the reality of the situation does the reality need to be?

Can you prove that old people are a net drain on the economy and by how much?

I don't mean by saying it's obvious, or quoting how many of them are retired, but by producing the actually figures about how much the contribute to the economy and how much they remove.

[Atheist-Lite]

I'm not coming at this from the hocus-pocus of a economical argument. The reality is people become a drain on the younger members lives as they become frail and cognitively deficient with age. Some, a small number, may remain sprightly into their nineties but most have bits falling off by their mid sixties onwards. This is nothing to do with economics but there is a large population of very old folk coming on stream ready to soak up the energy the youth of today and tommorow will need to adapt to climate change. Economics will promise a good pension for all today, for a peaceful life, but won't deliver tommorow....it is a very effecient scheme of self-deception.

[JimC]

As many as it takes to euthanase Kevin...

Very, very kindly...

[charlou]

[BrettA]

Funny how no-one wants to put their own demographic up for sacrifice.

Euthanasing all Kevin's...

Funny indeed. I've suggested the Ratz-Kevin demographic a coupl'a times... but he still keeps posting :-(. And I'd certainly like to see the possibility field-tested on that before 'all Kevins', not the least because I'z likes sum o' dem.

[Tero]

I have a plan. We build old folks homes where you become a member at 60. You work 5 years cleaning bed pans, changing sheets, laundry, transport the older people to the tv room where they sleep during the day watching

which will have a 24 hour channel of reruns.

Then at 65 you have a checkup. If you are OK, you get a year off. See your loved ones or travel with a trailer. We will provide a trailer. At 66 you check in. You get the same 5 years you earned. At 71 you get a choice. You can do another 5 years of work or you can dispose of yourself with a pill. At 76 you get your final 5 years of checking in and Wheel of Torture.

[Atheist-Lite]

I have a plan. We build old folks homes where you become a member at 60. You work 5 years cleaning bed pans, changing sheets, laundry, transport the older people to the tv room where they sleep during the day watching

which will have a 24 hour channel of reruns.

Then at 65 you have a checkup. If you are OK, you get a year off. See your loved ones or travel with a trailer. We will provide a trailer. At 66 you check in. You get the same 5 years you earned. At 71 you get a choice. You can do another 5 years of work or you can dispose of yourself with a pill. At 76 you get your final 5 years of checking in and Wheel of Torture.

Excellent. I think if the cure is better than the illness, how else to describe old age, then most people will follow along. There must be a incentive. Some kind of nudge in the right direction. Small rewards will make people think correctly about their situation and there is no need for harshness when they can exit with a smile knowing they are to be rewarded.

[eXcommunicate]

I do have to say the trolling is epic in this thread. EPIC.

[Atheist-Lite]

I do have to say the trolling is epic in this thread. EPIC.

We do our best and you are welcome to contribute if you wish to.

[Berthold]

Many old people develop dementia. If they are cured this will increase the footprint of resources they require. Keeping them alive as living shells, meaningless biological portraits, is both cruel and unnecessary. If I become a gibbering vegetable should I live that long, doubtful, I would prefer someone gave me a quick jab and have done.

Want to employ one of these ladies as a housekeeper? They are free by now.

[Toontown]

The entire question is moot. You're all going to be euthanized. It's just a matter of time. It's the only way, you see. There are already too many of you, and on the whole, you are quite irascible, unpleasant, and frankly, physically and mentally substandard. If allowed to continue indefinitely, you will only complete the destruction of the biosphere before completing your own destruction.

Have a nice day.

[Atheist-Lite]

Many old people develop dementia. If they are cured this will increase the footprint of resources they require. Keeping them alive as living shells, meaningless biological portraits, is both cruel and unnecessary. If I become a gibbering vegetable should I live that long, doubtful, I would prefer someone gave me a quick jab and have done.

Want to employ one of these ladies as a housekeeper? They are free by now.

Why does the pretty one look like my wife?