One of the things I value most highly is life (which is, incidentally, why I want to be a doctor). A simple model of life treats it as having two parameters - quality, which may be positive or negative, and duration. This model suggests that what we should aim for is to maximise the value of the integral, i.e. the area under the curve. (Other suggestions may be drawn, such as the value of euthanasia and suicide, but I shall not deal with these, at least not until I decide to post a suicide note here.)
How can we maximise this integral then? One idea, proposed by Arakawa + Gins, is via architecture. Based on an ethics which deems mortality as unethical, and a belief that our surroundings affect our lives, the two have gone about designing buildings which aim to prolong life and eventually reverse human destiny by facilitating immortality. Just as the architecture of the plane helped achieve the dream of flight, so may architecture one day achieve the dream of immortality, they claim. Definitely one of the craziest ideas I've come across, especially considering the English it is expressed in, but it has resulted in some pretty interesting houses, so do check it out here.
Do we actually want to live forever? What price are we willing to pay for it? I have frequently heard the questions, eat/live so healthy for what? You want to live so long for what? Well, good health increases not just duration of life but also quality, especially at old age. Even if you might not think of it now, what about the value of spending more years with loved ones? Of course, most people do value their health, but are doing it wrongly. As diet is probably the main factor contributing to health, here are some of the most common dietary myths:
How can we maximise this integral then? One idea, proposed by Arakawa + Gins, is via architecture. Based on an ethics which deems mortality as unethical, and a belief that our surroundings affect our lives, the two have gone about designing buildings which aim to prolong life and eventually reverse human destiny by facilitating immortality. Just as the architecture of the plane helped achieve the dream of flight, so may architecture one day achieve the dream of immortality, they claim. Definitely one of the craziest ideas I've come across, especially considering the English it is expressed in, but it has resulted in some pretty interesting houses, so do check it out here.
Do we actually want to live forever? What price are we willing to pay for it? I have frequently heard the questions, eat/live so healthy for what? You want to live so long for what? Well, good health increases not just duration of life but also quality, especially at old age. Even if you might not think of it now, what about the value of spending more years with loved ones? Of course, most people do value their health, but are doing it wrongly. As diet is probably the main factor contributing to health, here are some of the most common dietary myths:
