Sure, there are those showcase super seniors you see on Discovery Chanel or in the Guinness Book of Records. Those living marvels approaching 99 years old and still spending  their winter weekends skiing and summer Sundays horseback riding… or doing something else equally unlikely. I even see them myself from time-to-time when I’m on the slopes or bridle paths…

Like Milburn Hart (USA) who made her solo parachute jump near Bremerton National Airport, Washington, USA, on 18th February 2005 at the age of 96 years 63 days.

Or Ed Alofs (Netherlands, b. 13th February 1902) who competed in the 1997 Compaq World Putting Championships at Orlando, Florida, USA, from 29th November to 1st December 1997, at the age of 95 years 289 days.

Not to leave out Leslie Brittan (b. 17th March 1905) from Blackheath, London, UK who has been a life-long bowler and was Club President of Woolwich and Plumstead Bowling Club in his centenary year.

Additionally, there are those heavy patina golden boys and girls who at 90+ still put in a full work week…

Like Jack Tucker (USA, b. 25th April 1914) who has been - and probably is - writing a regular theatre column for the West County Weekly newspaper in Richnome California, USA since May 1994.

Or Romanian professional pianist Cella Delavrancea (1887-1991) who gave her last public recital, with six encores, aged 103 - the oldest ever professional piano player.

Also, I just read that a 93-year-old former vicar has become the oldest person in the world to gain a PhD. Reverend Edgar Dowse, from Isleworth, west London, received a doctorate from the London School of Theology, whose degrees are validated by Brunel University. The father-of-two, who does not own a computer, dictated his thesis and already held six other degrees.

Nor do I want to become one of those miracles of modern medicine who get teeth implanted in their 90s… 

Similarly, Herbert Carrington (USA, b. 17th October 1998) who on 10th June 1993, received a Medtronic Hancock II Tissue valve, aged 94 years 129 days.  BTW the valve was still working on 15th June 2005 when he was aged 106 years 134 days (good job Medtronics!).

Sincerely, I also promise not to start any important new life projects once I’m past 100…

Like Minnie Munro (Australia), aged 102, who married Dudley Reid, 83 on 31st May 1991 - a man who, despite his own advanced age was none the less young enough to be her son.  The marriage took place at Point Clare, New South Wales, Australia.

After all, considering the future of Social Security, AVS (or whatever your particular national pension system is called), it can be argued that the implementation of systematic “humane euthanasia” beyond a certain age will constitute social progress… not only an economic imperative.

But where to begin? 

It’s not unfair to say that mainstream corporate culture today is dominated by individuals in their early 30s; and this group’s “common wisdom” largely holds that their colleagues past age 45 have exceeded useful productive business life.

This may or may not be true, even if average human biological life expectancy worldwide as recently as in 1900 is estimated to have been about 31 years, and in the Middle Ages was 20-30.

Even today, particularly in the light of current trends towards ever earlier retirement - albeit largely involuntary - it’s “fair” to say that biologically we human beings are well past our “prime” by age 35. Although – as a rule - individuals in their mid to late 30s are loathe to admitting this.

Therefore, there are valid arguments for implementing systematic “humane euthanasia” at age 35.

After all, not only would this “enlightened” practice entirely eradicate the social injustice of age discrimination in the work place, but also the depletion of “social safety nets” such as medical insurance, unemployment benefits and national pension systems.

Further, considering the current demographic structure of the “Western World”, increasingly top-heavy with senior citizens as a result of the post World War II baby boom, starting “humane euthanasia” at the bottom of the inverted pyramid – say at age 35 – and working up the age scale would certainly be the most reasonable practice… Especially since the older age groups are a “problem” that tends to correct itself through natural causes.