If Humans had the longevity of Vulcans...

[thelordharry]

Here's one I was pondering (within Trek universe). If the human race had the longevity of a race like the Vulcans (circa 200+ years?) how would mankind's progress and achievement have been different? What do you think? Would having had key figures in history (and future history) alive for well over twice/three times their expected lifespan have made any difference or not? If Einstein had of lived until 200, would he have likely contributed any more to science that he did? Would an average scientist who was kind of onto something but ran out of time before retiring eventually have made a major discovery given more time?

[Tsukiyumi]

If Einstein had of lived until 200, would he have likely contributed any more to science that he did?

Unlikely. He went sorta nuts in his later years.

I can relate.

[Sionnach Glic]

If humans lived about two centuries, then Earth would currently be facing a massive overpopulation crisis.

[Tsukiyumi]

If humans lived about two centuries, then Earth would currently be facing a massive overpopulation crisis.

Not to mention the severe shortage of adult diapers.

[thelordharry]

Come on now If Humans aged commensurately like Vulcans I meant...

[thelordharry]

If Einstein had of lived until 200, would he have likely contributed any more to science that he did?

Unlikely. He went sorta nuts in his later years.

I can relate.

You're shittin' me?

[Tsukiyumi]

There you go.

[Lt. Staplic]

Referring to the Einstein question (would he have made any more contributions) I don't know that he would have. After the General Theory of Relativity, Einstein spent most of his time trying to formulate a Theory of Everything, mostly because he didn't like the Quantum Theory's idea of uncertainty. The problem was the strong and weak nuclear forces were relatively unknown at the time, so that would have been difficult.

The other thing to consider is that if these scientists had lived 200 years it's possible we wouldn't be as advanced. As Max Planck put it "A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it."

[Atekimogus]

Well, don't humans have the longevity of Vulcans? Maybe not today or even in the Kirk era but I do have the impression that as a whole they age much more slowly, which given the advancements in genologiy, biology and medicine shouldn't come as surprise.

Now if we consider that Vulcans had a higher level of technology far earlier than humans one can assume that they started far sooner to eliminate certain diseases etc. eventually leading to an average lifespan of 200 years. Now humans are not still there yet but it's probably just a matter of time.

[Teaos]

Statistically most scientists do their best work at 40>. So I dont think science ect would be much better. Not many scientists die a few months/years off something important.

[Mikey]

It wouldn't matter. If that many old people were out on the roads, nobody would ever get to the office or lab anyway - they'd be stuck behind an endless stream of people driving 35 mph in the left lane of a 65 mph highway... with their right-turn blinkers on for 40 miles.

[thelordharry]

Ha Ha, OK you guys, I think you're pulling my leg

A hundred year old Vulcan is just approaching 'middle age'. A hundred year old human is living on borrowed time

Think of what I mean like this. If each stage of the human life span were doubled (or 'just over' doubled) in years so that the average human life expectancy was around 200, would mankind's progress and achievement have been different?

[Mark]

I'd say in SOME instances yes, but for the most part doubtful.

[Lt. Staplic]

I don't, going back to Planck's quote longer lives means much more opposition to new theories, and because of the longer lives it may take more than two generations to fully develop these ideas.

[Nickswitz]

I don't, going back to Planck's quote longer lives means much more opposition to new theories, and because of the longer lives it may take more than two generations to fully develop these ideas.

I agree with this, but also it would mean that ideas coiuld be thought through a lot more by a scientist. thus making things be a lot safer, so scientific advance may be much higher if there aren't so many problems with the things that are released.