Going On and On

The conversation we refuse to have about longevity - and how the quest to keep people alive regardless of their quality of life is ruining the economy, the planet and the future.

'A longer life is traditionally celebrated as a symbol of personal merit and societal achievement. Who wants to declare that living longer is a problem for our economy and therefore for our society? I'm putting up my hand.'

Australia is facing an aged care crisis, which is only going to escalate as Boomers age. This situation is made immeasurably worse by the fact that the medical system seems intent on keeping people alive, no matter how grim their circumstances and how reduced their quality of life.

According to the latest Intergenerational Report, the ageing of our population is at the forefront of major issues we will face over the next half-century, ahead of climate change, the transformation to a net zero economy and looming geopolitical risks. There is a tsunami coming and ignoring its existence now will only make it more catastrophic.

We also need to address the other elephant in the room: old age isn't conducive to progress. Older people mostly become increasingly conservative, set in their ways and resistant to new ideas and ways of doing things. They are more likely to stifle progress than make room for young people with fresh ideas.

Lucinda Holdforth says enough is enough. In this clear-eyed, entertaining and convincing polemic, she argues for a better approach to our approaching infirmity and asks the question we should all consider: what price will our younger citizens pay for the rest of us going on and on?