Infinite Birthdays

The Celebration of Forever

By the time this essay is published on the morning of December 15th, there is over a 95% likelihood that you will have already celebrated your birthday this year. On that day, you likely shared laughter with loved ones, felt the rush of adventure on a spontaneous trip, savored the flavor of a long-saved bottle of wine, or found your own way to ensure the otherwise ordinary day was uniquely memorable. Regardless of what you did, chances are you found some way to make it stand out, among the 365 non-birthday days this year (Yes, February 29th graced us with its presence this year).Now, imagine a world where you're celebrating your 200th birthday and you've looked forward to this day since your 100th birthday. Most of the birthdays in between the two blend together and don't seem quite as meaningful as the centennials. This imaginary world where birthdays never stop is very likely right around the corner. Given the exponential rate of technological changes and the advent of super-intelligent artificial intelligence, I would bet the first person to live forever has already been born. This brings us to a deeper question: how do we find meaning in milestones when they are no longer finite? Part of what makes a 90th or 95th birthday so meaningful is the fact that so few people actually live long enough to celebrate them. If it's assured that everyone will reach that age, it's no longer remarkable to have lived that long. Would having infinite birthdays redefine what it means to celebrate? It's possible the concepts of birthdays could disappear entirely.One concern is that with an unlimited amount of time, this would incite widespread laziness and complacency because you now have all the time in the world. Traveling and visiting different parts of the world is, in fact, a net benefit for not only you but for all of the world. This provides you with unique experiences and perspectives on other cities and cultures that contributes to your ability to tackle problems in the world. Imagine someone who is over 100 years old who has not left their home town and has not seen more than a few square miles of the world, thinking that they have "the rest of infinity" to see the world.On the opposite end, the prospect of living forever could inspire centuries-long organizations, business empires, and undying legacies. If you knew that you would be alive to see your organization, business, or family past your working years, you might work even harder to ensure that it survives and thrives. In the same thread, you may choose to not ever stop working, or choose to take up and master a different profession every 25 years. This will lead to polymaths and countless new cross-functional super-experts who may be 150 or 200 years old having had three to five each incredibly successful careers in their life.As each year passes, I find myself increasingly grateful for the time well spent and the cherished memories created. Whether my journey spans another few decades or several centuries, I intend to use my skills and passions to leave the world and the lives of others better than I found them. Wherever you are in your journey of life, remember that every day is special to someone.