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Human Longevity

ralord82276 🚫
Updated:

Two items that happens physically to a human body that is never really addressed when having a character in a story having a greatly increased lifespan: changes in brain activity and skin elasticity. There are many stories that have humans with increased lifespan through some method that "maintains the body at its peak condition"... I am NOT addressing those stories as these effects I am talking about are "ageing" effects and any method that maintains peak condition is by definition removing ageing effects. I am talking about the stories with longevity through other means like a curse/spell, curing illnesses/diseases, organ replacement when failing through cloning, etc. These things would all extend the human lifespan without addressing the brain or skin elasticity.

1)changes in brain activity: the longer a body is alive, the more changes a person's brain goes through. The area of the brain involved in learning shrinks slowly over large periods of time meaning that it takes longer and longer to learn new skills the older a person is. Communication between neurons becomes less effective over time meaning that it takes longer to recall specific words, memories, etc. Other similar changes occur that overall would have a degenerative effect on brain function. These changes are a natural side-effect of long life and any stories that deal with an increase in human longevity through any other means than a method that "keeps the body at peak human condition" (which would obviously include the brain) would have to have developed a means to deal with those as well.

2)skin elasticity: human bodies reach their "peak condition" somewhere between 20-25 years old. From that "peak" point onwards, the human body is in a slow decline. This includes the skin. Over time the skin loses its elasticity and you start seeing the effects of gravity more.. ie wrinkles. But it is not ONLY wrinkles that showcase the loss of skin elasticity. It is also things like the skin being much easier to bruise or to tear...for skin that has lost a lot of elasticity (ie is much older) it is possible to bruise or even tear the skin through such simple things as a firm handshake, a light clap on the back, going through a doorway and bumping their shoulder on the door frame. Also, over a very long period of time, the loss of skin elasticity would be seen in the shape and sizes of a person's ears. The ear would seem to lengthen over time (due to the combination of gravity and loss of skin elasticity on the protruding skin) at a rate of roughly 1cm every 40-50 years... regular senior aged people it would not be very noticeable... but that would be a full added inch to ear length over about 120 years. Although there are methods to combat skin elasticity (face lifts for example), there is only so much that can be done and eventually the skin will show the effects of ageing.

So just remember when writing the characters in your stories: if dealing with trying to show advanced age/longevity in any manner NOT attributable to "maintaining peak condition", instead of just saying something like so-and-so's face was "a mass of wrinkles" you can show their advanced age by saying something like "their skin was almost translucent - thinned out by their age, and deep wrinkles lined their face. Their ears seemed longer than normal, the lobes drooping toward the ground. Their words were slow and measured, each seemingly chosen with care instead of falling without thought from their mouth. Their movements were equally slow and careful as they settled into their chairs at the table." This type of description would highlight the longevity of the character a LOT more than the more common "mass of wrinkles" or "wrinkle-lined face" that I see in a lot of stories.

As always this is just my thoughts/opinion.

Replies:   REP  Paladin_HGWT
REP 🚫
Updated:

@ralord82276

These things would all extend the human lifespan without addressing the brain or skin elasticity.

Unless you have some proof of that statement being true, it is just an assumption. Basing an opinion on such an assumption, undermines the validity of your conclusions.

I know people in their 80's and 90's who look like they are in their 60's; their mental acuity is like that of someone in their 60's. I also know people in their 60's who look like they are in their 80's or 90's'; their mental acuity is like that of someone in their 90's.

Looks and mental acuity are functions of a person's genetics and their prior lifestyle. For example, long term use of drugs can cause the body to age at a higher rate, and it can destroy a person's mental acuity.

If the plot of a story has some factor significantly increasing a person's lifespan, then to live that extended lifespan there would have to be something that would affect the body's aging process, to include mental acuity, even if that something is not addressed in the story.

Paladin_HGWT 🚫

@ralord82276

organ replacement when failing through cloning, etc. These things would all extend the human lifespan without addressing the brain or skin elasticity.

Skin is an organ.

Most people in Western Nations (including Australia, Japan, etc.) have much better skin than people in the past because of the work they do, and significantly less exposure to sun, and other environmental conditions. Also, lotions, and other means of keeping skin supple.

I am approaching 60, served nearly 30 years in the US Army, mostly as Infantry; often in harsh environments. I worked as a decade as a Teamster. I hike, free climb, and sail, go out on the water in canoes, rowboats, etc. My skin (other than around my eyes, or places where I was wounded/injured is smoother and "unblemished" compared to most people prior to the 1990's.

Based upon the bitter experiences of others, I often used gloves, when possible (unsafe in some situations), I used sunscreen, as well as skin lotions to prevent cuticles (aka "hangnails") and to compensate for harsh environmental conditions. When I was in my teens my grandmother noticed my hands were in pain when I returned from a multi-day hike. She convinced me to use a lotion she used... I was a bit reluctant, but I didn't want my hands to bleed. Also, injured hands interfere with shooting, and other tasks requiring manual dexterity. Nor, did I want to deal with the "crotch rot" and other afflictions many suffer from in harsh environments. 40 years later using lotions and such has paid off.

Many other people, and not just "Metero-sexuals" have benefitted from similar skin care (and often diet too). In the armed forces many personnel are provided, sometimes Required to apply sunscreen and other lotions. Soldiers are "assets" and if you are "Unserviceable" for any reason, that is "Un Sat"...

As for Brain Function(s), we have been discovering numerous ways that the brain may be encouraged to repair damage, and to promote brain function. We are far from understanding what the full capabilities of the brain are.

I think we are on the cusp of being able to significantly extend human lifespans.

We have learned that many people, if they remain physically active, and Mentally Active they retain considerable capabilities. Far beyond even 30 or 40 years ago.

I interact with many veterans. Most of the WWII vets have passed, but many veterans of Vietnam are in their 70's or 80's; yet they are golfing, swimming, hiking, biking, still working, and involved in many intense physical and mental endeavors. Some of these guys (and a few gals) were wounded in combat, or injured in a non-combat situation. If I didn't know their age, I might think they were in their 40's.

Of course their are people who in their 40's appear, and often act like, they are in their 80's or 90's.

Drug use, to include tobacco and alcohol, and poor nutrition, all contribute to poor health and appearance. (Moderate consumption of alcohol is not harmful, and may be beneficial; some people seem unaffected by limited tobacco use {in particular if their are no added chemicals}.)

Replies:   akarge
akarge 🚫

@Paladin_HGWT

When I was in my teens my grandmother noticed my hands were in pain when I returned from a multi-day hike. She convinced me to use a lotion she used... I was a bit reluctant, but I didn't want my hands to bleed.

You probably should have been walking on your feet, not your hHans. j/k

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