I went to watch the comedian Louis CK months ago, but one of his riffs remains in my head. “Life is too long,” he complained. I like life, but as a fellow tired man in his late fifties, I identified. More than that, Louis has probably put his finger on a truth about our times: our lengthening lifespans may not be entirely welcome.
In 2024, global life expectancy reached 73.3 years, a new record, above the pre-pandemic peak of 72.6. Medical advances in immunotherapy, anti-obesity drugs and now perhaps Alzheimer’s should keep it rising. Louis and I may reach 90. I expect my children will. But I hope their generation will want to.
Life is extending while the things that traditionally gave it meaning are in decline. Especially among the young, ever fewer people have a partner, children, friends, a religion, or (I suspect) a belief in progress. Instead we have our phones.