this post was submitted on 16 Feb 2024
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Ok, here is the scenario.

I was reading about some breakthroughs in medical tech, mainly around the treatment of heart disease. But a few others.

Lets say in 2030 following a bunch of significant break through discoveries, expectancy for those that can afford it goes from currently ~85 to ~150. Initially only the super rich can afford it, but it doesn't take long for it to become an order of magnitude cheaper.

By 2050 the original tech (which is mostly out dated), is the same cost as a nice new car ~$50k in today's money, the cutting edge stuff is still 1000x the cost but has a much more significant effect, think at least another 300 years.

The same pattern holds, by 2070 the the original tech is $500, the 300 year tech is $50k and effective immortality (medical) is now available in the market for $50M.

What would the ramifications be on society?

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[–] half_built_pyramids@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Working until you're 5-10 years pre-death.

[–] absGeekNZ 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Assuming that you are 50 today, by the time the tech is available to "regular" people, you will be 76. I know some fit and healthy people in their 70's and some who are not so much.

Being 50 today would be close to the max age for this to be a real option for a lot of people...but then again knowing this was on the horizon when you are 56 may make you make different choices; getting / staying healthy may become a much bigger deal for people.

So maybe working till "retirement" 5-10 years before death would stop being a thing.

[–] half_built_pyramids@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Living is expensive where I live.

Another 50 years of life at $100k a year (paying for your own health care is expensive; this wouldn't last long) is another $5mil or more in savings needed.