VIRGINIA POSTREL: Is ‘adaptive reuse’ the secret to responding creatively to extended old age?

In 1955, a 50-year-old American could expect, on average, to live to be about 75. By 2005, that number had jumped to 81, with a significant improvement in health and vitality. (Unlike statistics for life expectancy at birth, these numbers do not reflect changes in infant mortality or other deaths before age 50.) Even more striking, the chances that a 50 year old would live past 80 rose from a mere 37 percent to 58 percent—a new norm.

So why aren’t we celebrating?

Well, I am. But read the whole thing. And I have some related thoughts here.