[blueblisters]

Increase in human lifespan (and longevity of "youth") is the most obvious sign of the success of modern civilization. We have doubled the average life expectancy in just about a century, so by your reasoning, past humans would likely call us "arrogant" when on average we live better, more fuller lives than they ever did.

There will be unintended consequences of humans living longer, of course but those are problems which will be solved by smart people of the future (and present).

[user-the-name]

There is no "by your reasoning" here at all. That is miles away from what he actually said.

[postsantum]

>We have doubled the average life expectancy

The only reason the average value shifted so much is drastically reduced infant mortality rate. If you managed to live to the age of twenty two centuries ago, chances were you'd die as an old man

[VHRanger]

Or twenty two centuries ago.

Even in Roman times healthy individuals lived to 60

[VHRanger]

We've doubled life expectancy by lowering the rates of early deaths.

Even in antiquity, healthy people lived to their 60s.

That might be the 70s or 80s now, but the quality of life at those ages isn't great - take a stroll to your local elderly home.