Najnovejši poskusi podaljšati človeško življenje nosijo v sebi določeno ironijo: ni mala malica biti star v družbi, ki je usmerjena v mladost. Starejši ljudje lahko ostanejo sami, brez dela in z malo denarja. V tem zanimivem govoru Jared Diamond prikaže, kako različne družbe ravnajo s svojimi starimi ljudmi - nekatere boljše, druge slabše - in predlaga, da vsi skupaj izkoristimo pomen izkušenj.

Kako se družbe lahko starajo na boljši način

The way societies treat older people ranges from abandonment in harsh environments to deep reverence in family-centered cultures. In the United States, many elderly live apart from their children and feel isolated, while traditional societies often keep elders at the heart of community life. Older people in traditional groups remain valued for their knowledge, caregiving, and leadership, especially in times of crisis. As lifespans lengthen, modern society risks wasting the talents and experience of its aging population.