Average Human Lifespan

[Frewfrux]

Is there a specific reason the average human lifespan in the Traveller universe is so low? (It's set at 74 years.) I would expect it to increase as technology increases, not go down.

Is it because the average is taking all worlds, even those in poverty without healthcare, into account? Here in Canada our average lifespan is 82.2, apparently, though, world-wide I see it is only in the mid 60's range.

 

[whulorigan]

Is there a specific reason the average human lifespan in the Traveller universe is so low? (It's set at 74 years.) I would expect it to increase as technology increases, not go down.

Is it because the average is taking all worlds, even those in poverty without healthcare, into account? Here in Canada our average lifespan is 82.2, apparently, though, world-wide I see it is only in the mid 60's range.

I am guessing that anti-geriatrics and anagathics are applied to aging on an individual basis as the GM sees fit, presuming the technology is available.

 

[agorski]

I seem to remember that Vilani have a longer lifespan. T5 has rules to allow you to adjust life stages.

 

[Frewfrux]

T5 has rules to allow you to adjust life stages.

Oh? I guess I haven't gotten there yet.

 

[Timerover51]

Is there a specific reason the average human lifespan in the Traveller universe is so low? (It's set at 74 years.) I would expect it to increase as technology increases, not go down.

Is it because the average is taking all worlds, even those in poverty without healthcare, into account? Here in Canada our average lifespan is 82.2, apparently, though, world-wide I see it is only in the mid 60's range.

Do you really expect to be adventuring when you are in your 80s? Or even late 70s?

 

[AnotherDilbert]

Is there a specific reason the average human lifespan in the Traveller universe is so low? (It's set at 74 years.)

I would say it's reasonable as a biological human lifespan, not limited by deprivation and not aided by advanced medicine.

 

[Frewfrux]

Do you really expect to be adventuring when you are in your 80s? Or even late 70s?

Me? In game? No. NPC's, maybe. In RL, my father, is 75 and he's no where near stopping with his adventures.

I only ask because the low number just shocked me. My assumption would be that humanity would know more and more about health issues and be able to regulate diets and the like to live longer and longer, so that they average lifespan would increase, not decrease. But there's a lot of assumptions in a statement like that, so I thought I'd ask if there was something behind this.

 

[Timerover51]

Me? In game? No. NPC's, maybe. In RL, my father, is 75 and he's no where near stopping with his adventures.

Your father is quite fortunate. No male in my family history has lived past 75.

I only ask because the low number just shocked me. My assumption would be that humanity would know more and more about health issues and be able to regulate diets and the like to live longer and longer, so that they average lifespan would increase, not decrease. But there's a lot of assumptions in a statement like that, so I thought I'd ask if there was something behind this.

Knowing more and more about health issues and doing something about them are two different things. On this world we are only one mutation away from another Spanish Flu pandemic, or massive Ebola outbreak. What odd and deadly diseases are we apt to encounter on other planets? For that matter, what odd and eventually deadly drugs will we find on other planets? Mankind has not gained any wisdom in the past several millennia, and I very much doubt that mankind will. You are confusing technical progress with human nature progress.

 

[Frewfrux]

You are confusing technical progress with human nature progress.

It's not progress at all if it's going backwards.

 

[Timerover51]

It's not progress at all if it's going backwards.

Are you thinking of technical progress, which can be discussed here, or human nature, which is best discussed in the Pit?

 

[Frewfrux]

Are you thinking of technical progress, which can be discussed here, or human nature, which is best discussed in the Pit?

I'm just wondering what's behind the numbers I'm reading.

 

[Timerover51]

There are several industrialized countries in Europe and also Japan that are experiencing negative population growth. That is more people are dying than are being born. I suspect that is part of it.

I would look at the CIA World Fact Book for more information.

 

[77topaz]

There are several industrialized countries in Europe and also Japan that are experiencing negative population growth. That is more people are dying than are being born. I suspect that is part of it.

I would look at the CIA World Fact Book for more information.

Those are all countries with relatively high life expectancies and low death rates, though - their populations are decreasing because they have even lower birth rates and/or more emigration than immigration.

 

[Timerover51]

Those are all countries with relatively high life expectancies and low death rates, though - their populations are decreasing because they have even lower birth rates and/or more emigration than immigration.

Interesting trade off. Higher life expectancy for a static to negative population growth rate, eventually leading to a lack of workers to support the aging population.

 

[Condottiere]

Depends on how they make up the difference, either through robotics, or medical means to extend the recipient's viable working life.

 

[Timerover51]

Depends on how they make up the difference, either through robotics, or medical means to extend the recipient's viable working life.

Do really want to spend 60 to 100 years working? I know people who jump for joy are retiring after 30 with full untouchable public pensions, where they do not have to work again. The problem is paying for the pensions though.

 

[Grav_Moped]

Pensions are deferred compensation.
Establishing and maintaining pension fund solvency is not an economic problem. The problem is regulatory, and therefore ultimately political.

 

[Timerover51]

Pensions are deferred compensation.
Establishing and maintaining pension fund solvency is not an economic problem. The problem is regulatory, and therefore ultimately political.

That depends on where you are at. Taking a chance on making a political statement, a fair number of cities have been going bankrupt because of public pensions which they cannot afford to fund without massively raising taxes, which in turn results in a shrinking tax base. At that point, pensions are an economic and political problem.

As for the deferred compensation, when you are a public employee getting paid about the same as the private sector would pay, and your pensions contribution comes no where near covering what the pension payout will be, that is not deferred compensation. Then add to that depending on where you live pensions are not taxed as income.

 

[Condottiere]

Take a sabbatical between career paths. Or a gap year.

Or have kids.

Might seriously screw with the consumer economy, as the older you get, the more you realize you don't need a tenth of that stuff.

 

[Timerover51]

Take a sabbatical between career paths. Or a gap year.

Or have kids.

Might seriously screw with the consumer economy, as the older you get, the more you realize you don't need a tenth of that stuff.

I know a few people who take the view that they earned it and they are going to spend it, as their kids did nothing to earn it. Therefore, I would not count on that.