You should live so long

The Long News: stories that might still matter fifty, or a hundred, or ten thousand years from now.




The woman in this picture just celebrated her 100th birthday. But she’s far from the oldest living American: that’s Neva Morris, of Ames, Iowa, who’s 114. They’re just two of the 84,000 centenarians living in the United States.


It’s estimated that by 02050, the number of centenarians worldwide will reach nearly 6 million. And some say that half of the babies born in the U.S. today will live into the 22nd century. Obviously, this will pose new challenges for the workplace, social security, health care, and just about every other aspect of society.


Some recent news stories about aging:


1. Millions of hundred-year-olds:

Starting to get crowded in 100-year-olds’ club

Half of U.S. babies living today may reach 100


2. The science of life extension:

Genetic fountain of youth

Scientists spot genes tied to aging

One key found for living to 100


3. Is it genes? Diet? No, the most important ingredient might be hope:

Have a purpose in life? You might live longer


We invite you to submit Long News story suggestions here.



Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

More from Long News

What is the long now?

The Long Now Foundation is a nonprofit established in 01996 to foster long-term thinking. Our work encourages imagination at the timescale of civilization — the next and last 10,000 years — a timespan we call the long now.

Learn more

Join our newsletter for the latest in long-term thinking