The Light Side
Lee Emmerich Jamison
Jeanne Calment died in August of 1997 at the age of 122. Her short reign as the world's oldest person had followed that of a gentleman believed to have been 127. Emma Faust Tillman became the oldest person this week at age 114. This is a troubling situation.
In somewhat less than ten years the age of the world’s oldest person has fallen by eight years, (or five more if you count the gentleman who surrendered the crown to Calment). At this rate, by the more optimistic assumption, the human race will become extinct by 2150. Assuming the more drastic rate of decline we will all kick the bucket in 2094.
On hearing this news Al Gore stated this would be a significant contribution to stemming global warming, but he still felt additional steps should be taken.
