I have a hard time figuring out the logic of aging and how the aesthetics can be so cruel. How beautiful young and middle-aged people become shriveled grotesques as they achieve the far reaches of mortality.
It's especially striking for those in which photographic evidence exists of the vast changes superannuation incur. Old photos of Bridget Bardot contrasted with how the 70-year-old-plus former actress looks now; similar transformations for so many others.
Former starlets of outrageous delectability devolving before our eyes unto haggard monstrosities. (Same with guys of course, but they tend to die earlier and the deterioration does not make it as far.)
What is the point, why such decay? The scariest of all are the especially thin ones (myself?!) who in their 80s wander the countryside as animated corpses.
While I do not believe that we are on this earth for any particular reason or that some "God" has a purpose and plan, I do believe that most biological functions serve an evolutionary role. Pretty girls attract pretty men to make pretty babies. Aviary plumage is nothing but a carnal display as well. Makes sense. But what is the point of the ravaged faces and bodies of the aged--to what purpose is nature served?
Is it to remove the temptation to seek impregnation of an impossible womb? That seems outlandish to me. How can we passively accept the concept of "natural aging?" Why should it be natural? By making the formerly beautiful physically repugnant, are we also devaluing them in other ways?
Most still have robust minds, active imaginations, and physical vigor, yet their appearance betrays them. What is behind the optics of old people and the aging process...what is the evolutionary rationale?
It's especially striking for those in which photographic evidence exists of the vast changes superannuation incur. Old photos of Bridget Bardot contrasted with how the 70-year-old-plus former actress looks now; similar transformations for so many others.
Former starlets of outrageous delectability devolving before our eyes unto haggard monstrosities. (Same with guys of course, but they tend to die earlier and the deterioration does not make it as far.)
What is the point, why such decay? The scariest of all are the especially thin ones (myself?!) who in their 80s wander the countryside as animated corpses.
While I do not believe that we are on this earth for any particular reason or that some "God" has a purpose and plan, I do believe that most biological functions serve an evolutionary role. Pretty girls attract pretty men to make pretty babies. Aviary plumage is nothing but a carnal display as well. Makes sense. But what is the point of the ravaged faces and bodies of the aged--to what purpose is nature served?
Is it to remove the temptation to seek impregnation of an impossible womb? That seems outlandish to me. How can we passively accept the concept of "natural aging?" Why should it be natural? By making the formerly beautiful physically repugnant, are we also devaluing them in other ways?
Most still have robust minds, active imaginations, and physical vigor, yet their appearance betrays them. What is behind the optics of old people and the aging process...what is the evolutionary rationale?
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