I’ve always been a big fan of Blood Sweat and Tears’ 1968 hit, “And When I Die“,which actually was put out first by Peter, Paul and Mary on their their sixth studio album “The Peter, Paul and Mary Album”.

And when I die
and when I’m dead, dead and gone,
There’ll be one child born and
a world to carry on, to carry on

I think those lyrics make a good point. Human life is inherently reproducible — it’s not steel or oil that gets used up. Just like livestock and all other animals, humans can and do breed to produce babies, most of which become children then adults. While each human has a personality – as do many animals – humans really just are masses of carbon-based cells and water. Raising a human life is an expensive proposition for sure, and their raising and life consumes a lot of resources, there is nothing really that special about human life.

Most humans only live about 70-80 years, and while they contribute to their families and communities in innumerable ways, their personal impact on the larger world over time is fairly minimal. While It’s sad to see a loved one or a friend leave this world, but realistically their just one of millions, one whose life will be reproduced like any other commodity at the factory. Rather then focus on life itself, we should focus on personal enjoyment, human freedom, and dignity.

While life on it’s own may not be valuable or even noteworthy, experience and human freedom is something worth preserving. Meaningful time in one’s life is short, it’s essential one gets out and enjoys it. We should do everything in this world to maximize the enjoyment of our own lives and those of fellow citizens, stop celebrating life alone — as life without experience is meaningless. It’s not meaningful or even significant that we have preserved life, when what really matters, is that we are giving individuals a chance to enjoy a meaningful life and a better tomorrow.