Whenever humans have the opportunity to take years off of their appearance, they will choose whatever option that becomes available to them. However if there ever comes a time when they can also live longer, there is no doubt that they would jump at the chance. But this may not necessarily become a set solution. Either way, we will take both for granted.
"I stare at her. My mother is an older version of me, but she is something I will never be. Old. My skin and bones will not age--my BioGel will simply reach the end of its shelf life and cease to operate. If I were to marry, I would not grow old with my husband. I could either die after to years or outlive him by a hundred. An interesting prospect. What price did Claire pay to keep her only child?" (Pearson, 180)
I think that now that Jenna knows that the BioGel will not allow her to age physically, she wants to know the idea of growing old. I think that many will agree that aging is a very tiring process, but in her situation, she wants what everyone around her has. She wants to be a human in mind, spirit and body. Aging will be a part of her identity.
I think that the author wanted to use this passage to enlighten people that we don't appreciate something until it's gone forever. Aging is beneficial to humans because with age comes not only wisdom, but knowledge of our own limitations. Enlightenment is the effect that this gives.
As humans, we have to understand that nothing lasts forever, but if that wasn't the case we wouldn't have the mindset that our lives and everything in it is so precious. We shouldn't take that gift for granted even if we have the chance to live past life expectancy.
Our depictions of a future like this only means that in our current present, there is nothing more important than knowing that our mortality drives us to do many things we wouldn't have thought of accomplishing before. Growing old teaches us that we are more strong-willed than we could have ever imagined.
Images can be used to manipulate people's minds by showing them the "bad" aspects of aging like wrinkles, sagging skin or approaching death, but what they don't tell them is that they will appreciate the things they had and the opportunities they had been given throughout their lives. It gives them time to reflect of the downfalls or victories they have had, and they no longer take anything for granted.
No comments:
Post a Comment