I imported United Nations world population statistics into DabbleDB, an online database application I use. I thought this table was interesting as a follow up to my post on Zimbabwe from the other day.
While government can’t ensure a long life, corruption and ineffective leadership sure can lower the averages.
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Sometimes I wonder if those of us in affluent nations are overstaying our welcome.
Recently I watched this American documentary on extremely old people (all 90+) and their quality of life can’t be said to be desirable by any means.
One of the doctors said that modern medicine isn’t allowing “nature” take its course. Consequently, people are suffering “terrible and long ‘living deaths’” (I am paraphrasing).
[Of course, the Earth suffers as well but that's going on another tangent.]
How long is long enough?
That’s a difficult question DC. Rare is the person who can accept death calmly and let nature take its couse. The fear is too great.
Would you consider releasing your population statistics under DabbleDB’s Commons program?
DL, the U.N. just released updated stats, which would actually make for more interesting reading under the DabbleDB Commons program. When I get a chance, I’ll do some work with those and release them. Dabble DB is a great program, though.