Would you forego a long life for a great one?

Q32: The question is whether to pick your normal four score years and ten, or instead burn much more brightly for a shorter time. Which is better?

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[Treasacello]

Just to clarify, 20 solid consecutive years with no downward slope at the end? Just 20 years of fabulous followed immediately with you wake up the next morning dead? Youbetcha, in a heartbeat!

[МаксимХайрун]

Lindy decided to compensate for a long lack of answers

[Jordan_]

Man I'm 18 and I would take that deal.

[joematthews]

The reality is that "extraordinary happiness" is a very rare emotion in life. You may experience 10 days of "extraordinary happiness" over an entire lifespan.

So, 20 years of it would be something astronomical. I may only be 27, but I'll take not seeing 50 for 20 years of "extraordinary happiness."

I will have lived more life in those 20 years than most live in 80.

[scubarubanzaii]

Yes. I don’t care to live long, I care to live happy and well.

[Clive_Warren]

I would forego a long life for my copy of In Search of Hannibal.

[Kaaxe]

I take great joy in witnessing the world around me change and evolve and would hate to have less time to watch things unfold

[Iain]

Sure, that sounds like a terrific deal !!! I think anybody over 60 would take that in an instant !!

[tvideo]

“Men do not care how nobly they live, but only for how long, although it is within the reach of every man to live nobly, but within no man’s power to live long.”
― Seneca

[nerdothn]

I'm 20 and honestly I think I would accept 20 amazing years with extraordinary happiness and accomplishment.
I might die with 40 then but I would've been able to achieve more than I would've normally been able to achieve

[rhizlowe]

I’ve missed the book of questions series and it’s so awesome that you’re picking it up again!

[LordJazzly]

By the way, love these question videos. Not only is it great to see them pulled apart in the video, it's interesting to see other people's takes on them in the comments. Almost like bringing it out in a pub and asking the questions of the whole table; very nice.

[PerfectAlibi]

Yeah, I would say 5 years is the balance point.
I mean, 5 years of greatness, means people are atleast going to remember you after you die.
So you will a small form of immortality? Living on in the memories of others. ^^

[ronanevans]

Lindy is really pumping out the content this week!

[batters]

Being a 22 year old, I think 20 years is perfect for this question.
Having a very happy life and dying at 42 vs living a content life and dying at say 80 ish...

[liriumcarrousel]

Thinking about my husband with this question, I wouldnt take anything below 20 years to be completely honest.
Like, we're not old at all, I'm barely 26 hes even younger, I have a lifetime with the person I love ahead of me, so whatever fulfillment this offers could not be comparable to my future with him if it didn't last at least half as long as just our life hard times included!

[mattmccluskie]

Dear Lloyd,

is there any chance of another long form audio book style video on the topic of military history or adventure?

Love your work, keep it up!

[dmoneyonair]

happy to see so much new lindybeige content

[radhanisthebold]

I think what's missing f room your answer Lindy is a distinction between a happy like and a meaningful one. Having kids would change your perspective on this as you are still needed after they are 20 as a parent and until they are 50/60 as a grandparent

[leddielive]

Hi Nicholas, I'd accept 20 amazing years just as soon as I reach my 80th birthday 🎂.