Why I Hope to Die at 75 by Ezekiel J. Emanuel

This is how it goes ... 

"Seventy-five. That’s how long I want to live: 75 years. This preference drives my daughters crazy. It drives my brothers crazy. My loving friends think I am crazy. They think that I can’t mean what I say; that I haven’t thought clearly about this, because there is so much in the world to see and do. To convince me of my errors, they enumerate the myriad people I know who are over 75 and doing quite well. They are certain that as I get closer to 75, I will push the desired age back to 80, then 85, maybe even 90.

I am sure of my position. Doubtless, death is a loss. It deprives us of experiences and milestones, of time spent with our spouse and children. In short, it deprives us of all the things we value.  ... "

This is how the The Atlantic article “Why I Hope to Die at 75” by Ezekiel J. Emanuel  Goes. Ezekiel J. Emanuel an American Clinical Bioethics and Head of the Department of Medical Ethics & Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. Interesting and thought provoking article.

I mailed this to several friends and colleagues. Few of them responded –

One response goes like this  ...

I agree on the philosophy. This is my philosophy too. I need to share this with my wife. She will be able to relate some of my statements (at home) to this"

Another one ... 

Thank you Das Babu. Nice timing. This topic had come to my mind and I was more thinking of 70 rather than 75. My father's side, most people died at 74-76. My Mom's side people have lived longer but with a painful life (with all kinds of ailments). Also last few years of all folks in my father's side were painful so I thought if I could demand early boarding at 70, I will spare my children the pain. This topic came because of a nice article I read in NY Times on question of saving for children. If I assume that I live for another ... (assuming 70 as goal post), and my investment performance slows down... I should be living behind at least 4 times my current net worth. My question next is what will my kids do with that kind of wealth? I have given them both a good education and both have started earning more than I earned in their age. If they continue to take my advice on investment, they themselves would be doing fairly well. So what should I do with my money is the dilemma … "(My friend pointed me the 2^nd article below)

 If you are here thus far without pain, read these 2 articles. 

1. Why I Hope to Die at 75 byEzekiel J. Emanuel

2. Parents, the Children Will BeFine. Spend Their Inheritance Now.

 

BTW, Babu in the 2nd note above indicates something. Did you get that?

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