Reminds me of a story about a guy who doesn’t exercise because the additional amount of time added to his life thru exercising is exceeding by the amount of time exercising. Therefore, he doesn’t exercise and enjoys life without the pain and sweat.
I intend to live to be 132, only to end up falling from a very tall old apple tree, or being shot to death by some very jealous very young husband. Now, THAT’S natural!
Capt. Jack Harkness aside (of Torchwood, and maybe the Doctor), the loop invariant is that not one of us is going to get out of this gig alive, so enjoy the trip, and do things you would be proud of if you were inclined to pride. And you won’t see a U-Haul following a hearse.
Remember Jim Fixx, who wrote The Complete Book Of Running? Much, much sweaty, painful exercise, very good shape, and died of a massive heart attack at 52. I’ve already beat him, and that’s without all the time-consuming tiresome exercise nonsense. If I ever see him, I’ll make sure to rub it in….
Carl Sagan once cited an old mortuary chart saying that several people in London had died due to “planet”. He wondered what the symptoms were, if memory serves. So do I.
All these anecdotes about those on the bell curve who live long lives despite living unhealthy lives and those on the bell curve who live short lives despite living healthy lives. Tsk, tsk. I thought y’all could reason better than that. Although I’m no one to talk (I maintain my mental life better than I do my physical life), there are statistical benefits to “living right”, and those who are statistically unusual don’t disprove the overall statistical benefits.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I plan on living forever. But that will require an eventual upgrade of the hardware by the Manufacturer, after the software and data have been stored for a while.
Specifically with regard to Jim Fixx, I think that his autopsy showed that he had some sort of heart defect, and that if he hadn’t exercised regularly it might have killed him much EARLIER.
I agree with Rakkav about the bell-curve, though. If an extended lifespan IS what you’re after, there are ways to improve your chances (although of course there are no guarantees). But assuming that, whenever and however I die, I have a few moments to look back, all I’m hoping is that I can answer “Yes” to the question “Am I happy with what I did with what I got?”
Yes, Jim Fixx was in bad shape when he started running, and no doubt the exercise improved his life span, and no doubt MY life span would be improved by more exercise, but if you’re looking for logic (or statistical analysis or bell curves), watching two birds at a restaurant counter speaking perfect English may not be the best place to expect to find it.
Llewellenbruce almost 15 years ago
Like old age.
Superfrog almost 15 years ago
There’s a lot of that about.
Yukoner almost 15 years ago
Old age is just a sign of longevity.
jrbj almost 15 years ago
“Natural Causes” shows that we are dying from the time we are born. The end is inevitably approaching the whole time.
CogentModality almost 15 years ago
Only two outcomes. Grow old or die young.
rshive almost 15 years ago
Always remember the longer you live The sooner you bloody well die!
wicky almost 15 years ago
I avoid “natural causes” and cliches like the plague.
jopado almost 15 years ago
Ya know…for us ‘old timers’ this takes on a modicum of significance.
The reason I don’t exercise is because I want to be sick when I die.
GROG Premium Member almost 15 years ago
Who’s to say what’s natural? I just don’t want to die in a hospital bed.
COWBOY7 almost 15 years ago
This comment section has little chance of dying out anytime soon!
alan.gurka almost 15 years ago
Reminds me of a story about a guy who doesn’t exercise because the additional amount of time added to his life thru exercising is exceeding by the amount of time exercising. Therefore, he doesn’t exercise and enjoys life without the pain and sweat.
shelty almost 15 years ago
Hey! I’m waiting for one of those ‘natural causes’ diseases to catch up to me one of these days too.
EarlWash almost 15 years ago
I intend to live to be 132, only to end up falling from a very tall old apple tree, or being shot to death by some very jealous very young husband. Now, THAT’S natural!
hotbunny almost 15 years ago
uhuh the natural causes, is when the doctors dont know why the person die…they always say die of NATURAL CAUSES.
hotbunny almost 15 years ago
no wonder the man is scare…
hotbunny almost 15 years ago
soooo relax…
fritzoid Premium Member almost 15 years ago
I could be the guy in algurka’s comment. I’d rather have a short life doing things I enjoy than a long life doing things I hate.
Eat right, exercise, die anyway. And ANY ONE of us could get hit by a truck tomorrow, crossing the street…
pbarnrob almost 15 years ago
Capt. Jack Harkness aside (of Torchwood, and maybe the Doctor), the loop invariant is that not one of us is going to get out of this gig alive, so enjoy the trip, and do things you would be proud of if you were inclined to pride. And you won’t see a U-Haul following a hearse.
Ushindi almost 15 years ago
Remember Jim Fixx, who wrote The Complete Book Of Running? Much, much sweaty, painful exercise, very good shape, and died of a massive heart attack at 52. I’ve already beat him, and that’s without all the time-consuming tiresome exercise nonsense. If I ever see him, I’ll make sure to rub it in….
Rakkav almost 15 years ago
Carl Sagan once cited an old mortuary chart saying that several people in London had died due to “planet”. He wondered what the symptoms were, if memory serves. So do I.
All these anecdotes about those on the bell curve who live long lives despite living unhealthy lives and those on the bell curve who live short lives despite living healthy lives. Tsk, tsk. I thought y’all could reason better than that. Although I’m no one to talk (I maintain my mental life better than I do my physical life), there are statistical benefits to “living right”, and those who are statistically unusual don’t disprove the overall statistical benefits.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I plan on living forever. But that will require an eventual upgrade of the hardware by the Manufacturer, after the software and data have been stored for a while.
NoBrandName almost 15 years ago
@Rakkav, we’ll have none of that logic and statistical evidence here. Anecdotes only, please. The more ludicrous the better.
wicky almost 15 years ago
As Biz once said, he lives from one colonoscopothy to the other.
EarlWash almost 15 years ago
When it comes time for me to go, I want to go peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather…not yelling and screeming like all the passengers in his car.
JP Steve Premium Member almost 15 years ago
Susan001 said, about 11 hours ago
Former child actor Tommy Rettig died of “natural causes”–at age 54! Doesn’t sound “natural” to me.
He wouldn’t have died if Lassie was still around to rescue him from the well!
fritzoid Premium Member almost 15 years ago
Specifically with regard to Jim Fixx, I think that his autopsy showed that he had some sort of heart defect, and that if he hadn’t exercised regularly it might have killed him much EARLIER.
I agree with Rakkav about the bell-curve, though. If an extended lifespan IS what you’re after, there are ways to improve your chances (although of course there are no guarantees). But assuming that, whenever and however I die, I have a few moments to look back, all I’m hoping is that I can answer “Yes” to the question “Am I happy with what I did with what I got?”
Ushindi almost 15 years ago
Yes, Jim Fixx was in bad shape when he started running, and no doubt the exercise improved his life span, and no doubt MY life span would be improved by more exercise, but if you’re looking for logic (or statistical analysis or bell curves), watching two birds at a restaurant counter speaking perfect English may not be the best place to expect to find it.