Are you going to work until you're 103?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jtbell
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Work
AI Thread Summary
Elliott Carter, a groundbreaking composer, passed away at the age of 103, leaving behind a legacy of innovative music that challenged traditional forms. His final work, a set of piano pieces, was completed shortly before his death. The discussion reflects on the nature of work and creativity in old age, highlighting that many individuals continue to engage in demanding tasks or hobbies well into their later years. Participants express a common sentiment against the idea of retirement, emphasizing the importance of staying active and involved, whether through work, family responsibilities, or personal interests. The conversation also touches on the evolving perceptions of aging and the potential for longer working lives due to advancements in medicine, with some expressing a desire to remain engaged until physically unable to do so. The overall tone suggests a celebration of lifelong learning and the value of continued contribution to society, regardless of age.
Physics news on Phys.org
Subject to replacement parts being available - sure why not?
 
I don't know, but what do you mean by "work" ? It has a lot of meanings. :blushing:
Sure you can write music pieces till you die but you can't do many things at the age when your youth antenna is already down
 
I remember hearing an interview with EC on BBC radio when he was coming up to 100. From the way he talked you could easily have believed ue was nearer 40 or 50. Only one question left him speechless - and that was "have you made any plans to stop working?"

you can't do many things at the age when your youth antenna is already down
You can complete a PhD when you are 76, if you want: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/press.release/item/1026487332
 
Last edited by a moderator:
It was just his hobby, many people too have their hobbies. An IT professor I know a little about holds a PhD in Chemistry, her life is all with IT, wonder what does her ChemPhD is being used for. Higher education offers a higher level of abstraction which I think might also be acquired during practical working experience and time. Bill is an example of encouragement, "people can build a company from $100" is another, etc but would we then be our social selves and nice with each other and think of life much harder or easier; the truth remains, relativity works better as always.
 
Possibly - my paternal grandfather lived to 103.5 - with all his original equipment. The last 3 months of his live were difficult however due to recurrent pulmonary infections.

There is more than enough to keep me busy for several lifetimes.
 
I've recently realized that I *dread* the idea of 'retirement'. I'm happiest when I'm working a task or a rather demanding hobby.

The idea of a month of Sundays...yikes, no thanks!
 
lisab said:
I've recently realized that I *dread* the idea of 'retirement'. I'm happiest when I'm working a task or a rather demanding hobby.

The idea of a month of Sundays...yikes, no thanks!

I concur.
 
I'm living through years of Sundays. It's not much fun.
 
  • #10
Sundays?

When you're retired and you happen to evolve into tribe head, (pater familiaris), you've lots of family issues to attend, kids to help out, grandchildren to babysit, distant relatives to visit and help out with building houses, or cutting wood, hiking in nature to collect the nicest pictures and visit Earth science projects to help digging and discovering.

I couldn't wait to retire.
 
Last edited:
  • #11
I hope I will still be able to play video games when I retire; wiping the floor with young whippersnappers will be a joy I would sincerely miss
 
  • #12
I'd love to but I'm not sure if my physical situation would let me do that!
 
  • #13
It depends what you mean by work. I would never be a wage slave but do inspired things every day. I retired from making money early in life and just am a lifetime learner and volunteer. Death is part of being human and nothing to fear or worry about. I do not think I would want medical parts replaced as it is not natural life and death. I am more a holistic individual not one that needs goals to have a quality life.
 
  • #14
Retirement system in my country would presumably require something like that from me... ;)
 
  • #15
Given the demographic transition and developments in medicine for age-related diseases I expect many of my generation to work far longer than previous.
 
  • #16
I'm quite possibly going to die by the age of 70, but I intend to work until I'm physically incapable of doing so.
 
  • #17
They're going to have to pry my graphing calculator out of my cold, dead fingers!
 
  • #18
Won't we all have Mathematica on our über-smartphones by then?
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
0
Views
370
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
24
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Back
Top