Is Human Life Too Short?

Every living organism on this earth has a definite lifespan. Scientists have still not fully understood why different animals have varying lifespan despite the fact that most animals have similar physiology, body composition, and biochemistry.

It is indeed very curious that among similar sized animals, humans enjoy a very large lifespan. Our similar sized animals have a lifespan of around 40-45 years.

Although bestowed with a large lifespan which is around 80 years, humans are always inquisitive to find ways to live longer. Biologists have different views on whether the human desire to increase lifespan may be possible or not. The dominant view is that our lifespan is a result of a million years of evolution, thus to expect this to change is perhaps too preposterous.

An optimistic view however hopes that, given the pace of technology which is too fast in the present times, interventions may be available in near future which will provide avenues for humans to achieve much longer lifespan.

Some decades back, life was perhaps less lucrative in terms of its course from birth to death. The stages of life were more or less clearly defined. The toddler was distinctly different from the child, the span of time between being a teenager to a youth was a care free period with almost no worries and pressure, advent of youth was without the constant pressure of competitive exams, finding a life partner was a job effortlessly executed by the parents, and old age meant playing with grandchildren. Even death was easy without the trauma of a stay in an ICU or on a ventilator.

The last few decades have brought almost an exponential change in the way we, as humans, live our lives. Perhaps this period has been the most defining moment of human existence. The advent of internet has almost totally transformed the way humans spend their time. Evolution did not in any way prime us to be sedentary creatures communicating with virtual entities in a setting where the distinction between reality and virtual was almost invisible.

The toddler, the child, the youth, the adult, and the old all are now on the same ‘platform’. As a result, the young have lost their innocence and old have lost their respect.

The bludgeoning rise in population and the fierce competition for available resources have added to the pressures of modern society. Gone are the days when summer vacations were a time to visit grandparents. The modern lifestyle doesn’t allow any such luxuries, the summer vacation is now a synonym for coaching classes and intense preparation.

The fast pace of life wherein time seems to fly and the lifespan go past in a flash is very aptly summed up by these few lines of Gulzar sahib’s poetry: Ab to din raat pe hi aake rukta hai.... Mujhe yaad hai pehle ek sham bhi hua karti thi

Thus, in present times, we as humans have perhaps now ‘challenged’ the evolutionary design of our increased lifespan. The average lifespan of approx 80 years now looks grossly inadequate. Life indeed has become too short.

What would happen if humans suddenly get a gift of time and have an ensured life span which is double to our present lifespan of around 80 years? A Faustian bargain? On the face of it a 160 years of life may appear an exciting proposition, but would this be as beautiful as it sounds?

The urge to do things in a time frame would suddenly vanish. Human endeavour would not be as enthusiastic as it is today. The joy of keeping pace with the time may change to a trudge with slow moving time.

Limited time has perhaps been the most positive catalyst for human race in its advancement in science and human creativity. There is always a joy in things which have an ending. Would love stories evoke the same excitement if they continue to go on without an end? The 100 metre race looks breathtaking only when it ends at the finishing line. Subconsciously even death, with its inherent fear, has a charm. An abnormally long life may limit the fear associated with death.

A longer human lifespan may also impact our lives in many other ways. The tunnel of time which provides a ray of hope to the depressed may become longer. Suicides would increase. A large lifespan without subsequent increase in reproductive timeframe may see several generations under one roof. The meaning of ‘generation gap’ would indeed need to be reinvented. Lastly, the idea of spending an extended period of time with their soul mates may not be a romantic thought for many.