Posted by tallman at 11:58am Jul 27 '061. Given the above, would you sign up for the army at age 75? Why or why not?
It would depend on circumstances, but I'm pretty sure I would. If I was the character in the novel, whose wife had died 8 years earlier, that would make me lean towards this option. It would also depend on my health and general welfare. In the end, though, if I think deeply about death even now, it's pretty creepy. When I get that much closer, I can imagine being a little more open to something that could extend my life... though I think I'd be wary of the terms of service and would want to know survival rates, etc...
2. Would you be willing to leave earth and never come back?
Again, this would depend on circumstances like my children, and the general state of Earth. I think I'd be open minded enough, and I also think I'd jump at the opportunity to see more of the galaxy. Again, I'd be wary of how many people actually got to the point where they'll colonize and settle down again for another life... but I'd still be open to the possibility...
3. Assuming that physical makeovers are possible, what are the benefits of having a soldier with 75 years under their belt?
Experience, wisdom, knowledge. This is pretty obvious:P
4. What are the disadvantages of having 75 years under their belt?
Habits and heuristics that have been developed over 75 years on Earth may not apply so well towards where I'm going or in a combat situation. I'd imagine combat would be significantly different in space or on other planets than what I'm used to, and I'd imagine that I'd have a lot of issues to get over - i.e. maneuvering in zero gravity environment, etc... There's also a social aspect that might be a problem: as I get older, my life gets a little more private. I've got my own house now, and though I have a roommate, we can keep to ourselves if we want. I'd imagine there would be no privacy whatsoever in the army...
~[private]
It would depend on circumstances, but I'm pretty sure I would. If I was the character in the novel, whose wife had died 8 years earlier, that would make me lean towards this option. It would also depend on my health and general welfare. In the end, though, if I think deeply about death even now, it's pretty creepy. When I get that much closer, I can imagine being a little more open to something that could extend my life... though I think I'd be wary of the terms of service and would want to know survival rates, etc...
2. Would you be willing to leave earth and never come back?
Again, this would depend on circumstances like my children, and the general state of Earth. I think I'd be open minded enough, and I also think I'd jump at the opportunity to see more of the galaxy. Again, I'd be wary of how many people actually got to the point where they'll colonize and settle down again for another life... but I'd still be open to the possibility...
3. Assuming that physical makeovers are possible, what are the benefits of having a soldier with 75 years under their belt?
Experience, wisdom, knowledge. This is pretty obvious:P
4. What are the disadvantages of having 75 years under their belt?
Habits and heuristics that have been developed over 75 years on Earth may not apply so well towards where I'm going or in a combat situation. I'd imagine combat would be significantly different in space or on other planets than what I'm used to, and I'd imagine that I'd have a lot of issues to get over - i.e. maneuvering in zero gravity environment, etc... There's also a social aspect that might be a problem: as I get older, my life gets a little more private. I've got my own house now, and though I have a roommate, we can keep to ourselves if we want. I'd imagine there would be no privacy whatsoever in the army...
~[private]
My answers - tallman