Emma Morano, once acclaimed as the oldest person on Earth. Emma lived in Pallanza, Italy. She died on 15 April, 2017 at age 117. She was considered to be the last person born in the 1800s before her passing. Quite a distinction.
Aging
It's quite likely, we now know, that Emma and most if not all blue and other zone centenarians were nowhere near their puffed up age claims. Ample evidence has turned up inconvenient facts, such as the absence of reliable birth records, social and cultural incentives that reward exaggeration and best-selling authors more interested in book sales than accurate research.
But, that said, the folks featured in these stories were not Spring chickens, either.
One of the qualities that led to the hype over alleged great-aged individuals was curiosity about their lifestyles, as if some little known food, special diet, bizarre physical regimen, environment oddity or something was present that we might be able to adopt or emulate in order than we, too, could outline our enemies, and nearly everyone else.
Emma’s “secret” for long life, besides the usual suspects (clean air, friends, lots of steps, cigars etc.), included three eggs—two raw, each day for more than 90 years! Ugh—I’d rather be dead. Also, in her own words, "growing old with people who love you."
Of course, that’s no secret and we want that no matter how short or long our lives. (Source: Elisabetta Povoledonov, "Emma Morano, World's Oldest Person, Turns 117," New York Times, 11/29/2016.)
WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT AGING?
I'm often asked my position on aging. Here it is: I'm against it.
However, I'm not too happy about several things, advertising, in particular, but I figure out ways to minimize seeing, hearing or being annoyed by it.
Some things can't be avoided and aging is on the list. Gravity and the sun can be annoying, skin-wise, for those of us exposed to it, up close and personal, for too many decades. Just the same, we all learn, by middle age, to accommodate these and other facts of life, for the most part. Not everyone takes enough precautions, unfortunately, judging from the existence of a $104.74 billion annual revenue stream for the cosmetics industry as of 2025.
We have to deal with aging, so get used to it and develop a strategy. Thanks to healthier lifestyles and other factors, life expectancy and quality of life keep improving, at least for those fortunate enough to live in countries at relative peace with personal freedom and sufficient resources. Even if you don't welcome increasing age, and few go so far as to welcome rather than simply adapt to aging, try to modify your rate of deterioration with the aid of better choices. Also, hope that random good fortune continues to break your way.
REALITIES
In this meaningless life where the only purposes that matter are those that you create, we're all going to die young or grow old and, soon enough, be dead forever. Our image of the late President John F. Kennedy will always be of a handsome man in the prime of life. Fair enough, but he would be 108 now, if he had not been murdered in 1963 or died a natural death sometime not long thereafter owing to his many grievous medical problems.
Life, as Ingersoll noted, is "a narrow vale between the cold and barren peaks of two eternities." Americans 65 and older numbered 57.8 million in 2022. This cohort 17.3% of the population, more than 1 in every 6 Americans.
Look on the bright side from the perspective of the working young. Soon enough, a quarter of our society will consist of old codgers and codgeresses. (Note: There is not, yet, a female equivalent of codger, but I hereby offer codgeress. It seems much nicer than some of the vile terms non-liberated male deplorables have employed over the years to demean elderly females, such as battle-axe, crone, biddy, dowager, matron, hag or even fishwife, shrike or harridan.)
So, where was I? Oh yes, aging. Think of the full reservoir of wisdom, perspective and leadership that will be available to the young, just for the asking! By 2033, the population 65 and older will even outnumber people younger than 18. This will be the first time in the U.S. that this has happened. (Source: 2024 National Population Projections.)
If you suspect you might live long enough to enjoy the benefits of advanced longevity (e.g., prestige, constant overtures from the opposite sex, enhanced athletic and sexual performance, etc), then by all means continue to take exceptional good care of yourself.
Recently, a good friend of mine died at 83. He was an athlete and a cheerful, optimistic and thoughtful friend to many. He died healthy, as late in life as was possible, for him.
SUMMARY
My strategy for managing aging? Engage in vigorous exercise daily of the mind and body. Sample new experiences. Resist the temptation to look back too frequently to see if something might be gaining on you, like deterioration or signs of decrepitude.
As my favorite orator extraordinaire of the 19th century put it, live so as to enjoy the freedom that the brave have won.
Do what you can to destroy the monsters of superstition, the hissing snakes of ignorance and fear...to civilize our fellow men. Fill your life with generous deeds, with loving words, with art and song and all the ecstasies of love. Flood your years with sunshine and, with the climate of kindness, drain to the last drop the golden cup of joy. (Quoted words are adapted from The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll , Vol 1: Lectures.)
I wish you good fortune, sunshine and intellectual prosperity in sufficient abundance to last you through a long life. In addition, try to stay well, don't fall and have a sanguineous later life.
Photo by Robert Ludlow, PhotoThemes