Being born in 2000, I never expected to make it to the year 2160 and tell the story of my life. It is a fantastic experience that you cannot mistake for something else, especially knowing that most kids from my generation came unprepared for the news. Even back in 2020, I felt like there was something wrong with humanity. As a 160-year-old individual, I understand that life is getting worse because natural resources are lacking, and no technological revolution can protect humanity from the negative downsides. On the verge of the 22nd century, I quickly realized that people living on Earth are prone to overestimating their capabilities. We did not seem to pay attention to how nature has warned us about the dangers of ignoring its essential needs. As soon as people realized they were living longer, they started focusing on long-term planning and forgot to remain consistent.
Elon Musk’s legacy did not validate the need for a technological revolution. Our attempts to conquer Mars have given humanity no serious leverage so far. The ever-increasing competition in computer and smartphone development has ultimately reached a level where innovations do not feel sensational. Almost half of the younger population spends their time in virtual reality as their actual lives no longer amuse them. Looking back at the first encounter with aliens in the year 2101, I can tell that they were not surprised to see humans as an underdeveloped race. We have always been preoccupied with spending money and natural resources instead of fixing what was necessary. It makes sense here to quote one of my parents’ favorite movies, Men in Black. At one point, Edgar the Roach, the antagonist, says that humans are “totally convinced of their superiority as they scurry about their short, pointless lives” (Sonnenfeld, 1997). The scariest thing is that this quote is still valid even after more than 150 years since the movie was released.
Another crucial problem that has hit humanity with the advent of a longer lifespan was the inability to take care of the environment and their health. Laziness and procrastination became entrenched in human personalities (and I am not an exception either). The percentage of obese individuals of all ages keeps growing because of quicker delivery services and meager food prices. The fact that humanity started capitalizing on technology also predicted the fall of agriculture as a whole. Nowadays, people have no problem with GMO foods that contain nothing natural because it was back in 2141 when farmers harvested the last actual crops. The scariest point about all of it is that humans do not see anything strange and just go with the flow since they have technology-based replacements for everything, including their personal lives and meals. As a 160-year-old, I feel like deciding to side with innovation and give up on some of the conventional practices was incorrect.
The same also goes for interpersonal relationships and society as a whole. With humans being able to witness a lifespan of up to 200 years, childbirth rates went up, but so did the divorce. On the one hand, I understand that I am considered old according to the revised classification of human age proposed by the Interplanetary Health Organization. On the other hand, some of the values related to human relationships could be brought back to reset the current lack of integrity. Inherent laziness and preoccupation with inflated self-worth have turned humans into selfish creatures that do nothing but waste resources beyond Planet Earth and expect the universe to cover up their mistakes. I am exceptionally proud to have witnessed some of the greatest moments in human history owing to the extended lifespan. At the same time, I am terrified that we will annihilate ourselves over trivial things that did not matter back when I was 20.
Reference
Sonnenfeld, B. (1997). Men in Black [DVD]. United States; Columbia/Sony.