Most of us are uncomfortable talking about dying. It’s one of those
unspoken topics that we rarely address until unforeseen circumstance force us
to do so. Death and dying are the proverbial ‘elephant in the room’ that
everyone knows is there but refuses to address. Until now.
In the last year or so, the Business Insider web site has highlighted
several individuals who have started up businesses whose primary focus is to
extend life expectancies into the stratosphere. Usually, these individuals are
in their thirties or forties and have a diet that even an ant would not envy.
They all claim to have discovered the secret to long life or are on the brink
of uncovering the secret ingrediencies meant to help the body and its many
parts never grow old or wear out.
Fortunately for those willing to buy their pitch, their version of
Valhalla can be found in a pill or liquid form available at outrageous prices
in a shop near you or on-line. Not really affordable for the average Joe but if
the alternative is to die like the rest of us, it’s a veritable bargain. These
dubious purveyors of ‘eternal life’ haven’t yet made their presence well known
in the desert but there are similar themes recurring down here nevertheless.
What I’m seeing now in Palm Springs is another trend, not quite as
egregious as some of the hucksters on the web, but with a very similar angle. Palm
Springs and the entire Coachella Valley seems to be fertile ground for
individuals who like its warm weather, blue skies, and the relaxed atmosphere
of this desert resort town. Good times are hinted at around every corner. And
many of these same individuals would like it to continue on forever…or as close
to forever as possible. They are now a tempting target for these sirens of
serenity.
Now this theme of ever-lasting life certainly isn’t new to humanity.
Ever since the beginning of time, for those who could afford such thoughts,
humans have chased the fountain of youth, the secrets of Shangri-la and the
elixirs that promised ‘eternal youth.’ Modern day medical practices proport to
address these objectives through a bevy of approaches which address the
psychological, familial, societal, ethical, spiritual and biological aspects of
overall health. It’s called the holistic approach to medicine.
For years, local medical practitioners have embraced the ‘life
extension’ approach to their primary line of work. So too have plastic
surgeons, dentists, GPs and other advisers on health adding this line of
services to their regular offerings.
Aside from the temptation to over-promise on life-extending therapies,
this new/old approach on healthy living and sensible behavior is probably a
good thing. I doubt many, if any, of these ‘new’ approaches are really going to
change our own genetic timetable marching us toward the end here on earth. But
it doesn’t help to get there reasonably healthy and happy. I just don’t think
we have to embrace the latest and greatest in life-extending gimmicks to get
there.
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