Dramatic medical progress and scientific breakthroughs all point convincingly to human beings living much longer in the coming decades and beyond. Below is a quick glance at the projected outcomes of what to expect in the near and not-to-distant future.
Part of the complete book
When I was a little kid, I used to hear people say the world is not fair, people will screw you over, nice guys finish last, you can’t succeed if you don’t step on other people.
I always had trouble with these statements. I thought they were coming from people who were tremendously insecure burdened with a sad mix of helplessness, low self worth, wavering confidence and no personal identity.
It was impossible for me to believe this reality. I saw a choice in what point of view I could follow. There were other voices I heard who steadfastly stuck to a different path of expectation of human nature. These were people who believed in the spirit of humanity, that fairness and reward comes to all who earn it with honesty, sincere attitude, ethics and a good day’s work. This made startlingly simple sense to me.
From that day on, I never considered the alternative outlook and always tried to persuade someone away from it who chose to believe they were right.
I have since learned that much is correct on both sides. There is unfairness all around and there is also honest reward. There is no simple formula I hoped could brighten a future nor was there any set actions that necessarily spelled doom or retribution. Who benefits or who suffers is not necessarily a result based on anything any of us does, or does not do.
There’s much more luck, timing, history and circumstance involved than anyone could ever possibly predict. Some of it is visible and we take our chances, secure in our personal powers, skills and positive outlook that things will be good. But much of it is hidden.
Much of what works for and against people is beyond anyone’s control, having nothing to do with their deliberate actions or behavior. These things that impact us originate negatively from other people’s insecurities, inabilities to cope, their sense of feeling threatened, paranoia, communication weaknesses and breakdowns. Other individuals impact us positively with inherent, or spontaneous behavior of good will, generosity, gracious acceptance, understanding, or belief in a benevolent power guiding them. All of us, separately, and as a mass are affected in alternating ways by all of these people many times during our lifetimes. This doesn’t even include the quirky twists of fate and fluke events of nature that can divert a life in an unplanned instant.
What is hidden is what we can’t know, can’t control, and can’t prepare for in any amount of expectation or anticipation. No matter what we think, or do in advance.
(Overheard almost verbatim in a doctor’s exam room next door.)
Doctor Spencer: So, you have two children now?
Patient Montana: No, Doctor. I have four.
Doctor: You just told me you had two children.
Patient: Those were just the ones living with me.
Doctor: I see. So, let’s start again. How old are your children?
Patient: One is 4. One is 16. Another is 1 yr old, and another is 8. Oh, and another one is on the way.
Doctor: So, you have five children?
Patient: Yeah! I guess if you count the one coming up.
Doctor: Okaay. So, now you’ve decided you want a vasectomy. How old are you, Mr Montana?
Patient: Twenty six.
Long Pause. Silence. (My balls are really hurting now.)
Doctor: Do you understand how serious a decision this is?
Patient: Yeah, well, you know things are getting kind of out of hand. I got too many kids happening.
Doctor: You mean, the pregnancies weren’t planned?
Patient: Well, you know. They kinda were. Some of them were. I mean. You know the way I was brought up. We don’t use no condoms. We feel good. Something good happens. We celebrate. We have a beer. We get our woman. You know? I played some basketball. Watch a game. I feel good. We have some fun. Then, Wham! She get pregnant. What I’m gonna do? I don’t do abortions. She want the kid. So this has to stop now. You know what I’m talking about Doc?
Doctor: You are still very young. I would prefer counseling you on using a condom instead of getting a vasectomy.
Patient: Yeah, well, you know. I think this has to stop now. What about changing it back if I change my mind later, doc?
Doctor: It is possible. Not guaranteed, and, very expensive. And, it is not covered by insurance. It can cost ten thousand dollars. This is not a decision you want to consider reversing in the future. Are you sure you want to go through with this?
Patient: Doc, I don’t really have a problem or anything, but, just between you and me, can you get some of that Viagra?
