Why are 2 extra years of life expectancy rated so low?

**cdcox** · 08-04-2007, 11:34 AM

In Rain Man's "Pick one, any one" poll, many more people picked $15,000 than to increase one's life expectancy for two years. I thought this was surprising, because there are a lot of people who would spend several times that to live a couple more years. Then Buc-Eyed Pea made the observation that she would probably be ready to die by the time she reaches somewhere in her '80s anyway, given her quality of life. I could see this, but the quality of life would have to fall pretty low before I'd want to check out. One good day in five would be enough to keep me moving on.

I'm probably in the second half of my life, and I'm already thinking that the years are going by a lot faster than I ever thought they would. I'm trying to take some steps with my lifestyle choices to prolong both my life and my quality of living in my later years. I'd like to be active and independent until I reach my 80's, at least. I don't think I'll be ready to check out by then, but I'm trying to be realistic about what I can expect.

At what age do you expect your health to fail to the point that life isn't worth living?

How many years do you think you will live beyond that age?

Not trying to be morbid, just trying to understand the mentality that would lead one to take $15K (not a life changing amount) in exchange for two years of life expectancy (presumably a longer life expectancy would also carry with it a longer period of healthy active, life).

08-04-2007, 11:34 AM	Topic Starter
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $-468231	Why are 2 extra years of life expectancy rated so low? In Rain Man's "Pick one, any one" poll, many more people picked $15,000 than to increase one's life expectancy for two years. I thought this was surprising, because there are a lot of people who would spend several times that to live a couple more years. Then Buc-Eyed Pea made the observation that she would probably be ready to die by the time she reaches somewhere in her '80s anyway, given her quality of life. I could see this, but the quality of life would have to fall pretty low before I'd want to check out. One good day in five would be enough to keep me moving on. I'm probably in the second half of my life, and I'm already thinking that the years are going by a lot faster than I ever thought they would. I'm trying to take some steps with my lifestyle choices to prolong both my life and my quality of living in my later years. I'd like to be active and independent until I reach my 80's, at least. I don't think I'll be ready to check out by then, but I'm trying to be realistic about what I can expect. At what age do you expect your health to fail to the point that life isn't worth living? How many years do you think you will live beyond that age? Not trying to be morbid, just trying to understand the mentality that would lead one to take $15K (not a life changing amount) in exchange for two years of life expectancy (presumably a longer life expectancy would also carry with it a longer period of healthy active, life).
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