There is an interesting jab by Scott Adams on his blog on the increasing life expectancy driven by miracles of medical sciences. Scott in his usual sarcastic flair says that this increased life expectancy points to the need for voluntary "assisted suicide" or Euthanasia.
The concept of Euthanasia has been debated again and again in the context of terminally ill patients. While that issue itself has been boiling under "ethical" vs "rights" debate Scott's post brings up a completely new thought to my mind.
We have indeed been seeing progress in Medical sciences prolonging the life expectancy especially in the educated, well off segment (McCain is perhaps the most eminent example) but an interesting point to note is that retirement ages in most employments (again with the exception of politics) have not move beyond the 58-60 yrs band. Even able bodies and vast expereinces resulting from illustrious careers have not been able to overcome this age barrier. The questions raised on when Mr. Tata retires is a point in this regard. So the question remains that inspite of all these advances why hasnt the retirement ages advanced? Perhaps its because the advances in medical sciences are more physical and there are yet no sustained/proven measures to prevent mental detirioration beyond 60. There is still no medicine which after spending 60 years on earth prevents you from reflecting on the "banalities" of life and reflecting on 'what have you done" or for that matter treating Alzhiemers which perhaps everyone expereines in varying degrees. The only medicine is remaining fit by training your mind and body and challenging it. And retirement at 60 precisely ends this "crucial life force" for the brain. The forced vaccum on the brain detiriorates even the able bodied faster.
So the question for the day is --- There is a huge chunk of this population beyond 60 who are reasonably well off in monetary terms and have nothing to do-- inspite of the fact that they have vast expereince and perhaps even the will to do something , albiet different from what they have been doing all their life. Is there a business opportunity -- akin to the Tata initiative of secondcareer.com launched for women who take a break at pregnancy-- to retrain this class and use their vast experience in either entreprenual or service activities?
Cant point out what these will be, but am sure we can think of some. Any ideas?
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