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Going On and On: Why Our Longevity Threatens the Future
The conversation we refuse to have about longevity – and how the quest to keep people alive regardless of their quality of life is ruining the economy, the planet and the future.
‘A longer life is traditionally celebrated as a symbol of personal merit and societal achievement. Who wants to declare that living longer is a problem for our economy and therefore for our society? I’m putting up my hand.’
Australia is facing an aged care crisis, which is only going to escalate as Boomers age. This situation is made immeasurably worse by the fact that the medical system seems intent on keeping people alive, no matter how grim their circumstances and how reduced their quality of life.
According to the latest Intergenerational Report, the ageing of our population is at the forefront of major issues we will face over the next half-century, ahead of climate change, the transformation to a net zero economy and looming geopolitical risks. There is a tsunami coming and ignoring its existence now will only make it more catastrophic.
We also need to address the other elephant in the old age isn’t conducive to progress. Older people mostly become increasingly conservative, set in their ways and resistant to new ideas and ways of doing things. They are more likely to stifle progress than make room for young people with fresh ideas.
Lucinda Holdforth says enough is enough. In this clear-eyed, entertaining and convincing polemic, she argues for a better approach to our approaching infirmity and asks the question we should all what price will our younger citizens pay for the rest of us going on and on?
‘A longer life is traditionally celebrated as a symbol of personal merit and societal achievement. Who wants to declare that living longer is a problem for our economy and therefore for our society? I’m putting up my hand.’
Australia is facing an aged care crisis, which is only going to escalate as Boomers age. This situation is made immeasurably worse by the fact that the medical system seems intent on keeping people alive, no matter how grim their circumstances and how reduced their quality of life.
According to the latest Intergenerational Report, the ageing of our population is at the forefront of major issues we will face over the next half-century, ahead of climate change, the transformation to a net zero economy and looming geopolitical risks. There is a tsunami coming and ignoring its existence now will only make it more catastrophic.
We also need to address the other elephant in the old age isn’t conducive to progress. Older people mostly become increasingly conservative, set in their ways and resistant to new ideas and ways of doing things. They are more likely to stifle progress than make room for young people with fresh ideas.
Lucinda Holdforth says enough is enough. In this clear-eyed, entertaining and convincing polemic, she argues for a better approach to our approaching infirmity and asks the question we should all what price will our younger citizens pay for the rest of us going on and on?
- GenresNonfictionAustraliaDeath
141 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 6, 2026
A thought provoking, occasionally irreverent, and much needed conversation starter regarding what it means to live well, and what it looks like to live well together.
May 5, 2026
In my 50s I would have given this a five-star rating. It is immensely readable, deliciously provocative, and courageous. Holdforth expands on a topic I have banged on about for years - that the preponderance of power (political and economic) held tightly by an aging group of mostly conservative white men has to be toppled to make way for new ideas. As well, too many older people are kept alive in pain, discomfort, and mental absence long after they want to be. Voluntary assisted dying is only available to those with terminal illnesses and who are compos mentis, ignoring Advanced Care Directives that describe what would make life not worth living for them.
At 79, I am giving the book a still very respectable four stars. Generations are not tidy divisions, no matter how neatly delineated they are by "Gen" designations. Humans are a cantankerous, surly, selfish, generous, good-hearted, intelligent lot at every age and era. I applaud Holdforth's intent and cheer most of what she wrote, but I am weary of Boomer bashing.
The difficult situation younger generations are in requires a major shift in policy and planning. The ethics of longevity at any cost should have been an integral part of the research into prolonging life. Policy planners should have approached housing as a human right. Corporations and the wealthy should have been paying their fair share of taxes instead of hiring canny accountants to milk the public purse.
And on it goes. We are in this mess because too many of our countries prioritize profit over people. I have witnessed this firsthand in the three countries where I have lived the longest - the U.S., Canada, and now Australia. The solutions Holdforth suggests are a good start. Still, pitting younger against older will not lift us. We all need to participate in a major re-thinking of how we humans can act responsibly and compassionately toward each other and the planet.
At 79, I am giving the book a still very respectable four stars. Generations are not tidy divisions, no matter how neatly delineated they are by "Gen" designations. Humans are a cantankerous, surly, selfish, generous, good-hearted, intelligent lot at every age and era. I applaud Holdforth's intent and cheer most of what she wrote, but I am weary of Boomer bashing.
The difficult situation younger generations are in requires a major shift in policy and planning. The ethics of longevity at any cost should have been an integral part of the research into prolonging life. Policy planners should have approached housing as a human right. Corporations and the wealthy should have been paying their fair share of taxes instead of hiring canny accountants to milk the public purse.
And on it goes. We are in this mess because too many of our countries prioritize profit over people. I have witnessed this firsthand in the three countries where I have lived the longest - the U.S., Canada, and now Australia. The solutions Holdforth suggests are a good start. Still, pitting younger against older will not lift us. We all need to participate in a major re-thinking of how we humans can act responsibly and compassionately toward each other and the planet.
August 3, 2026
Going On And On is a captivating meditation on what we as individuals and society could be doing about our obsession with not dying. That includes recognising our obligations to younger generations who are increasingly disadvantaged by how we who are older cling on to power and wealth.
I found it both enthralling and eye opening and urge everyone to read it. And that doesn’t mean only my Australian friends; yes a lot of the examples and some political details are specific to Australia, but the general thrust is universally applicable.
This quote opens the book.
The book is full of humour, despite the seriousness of the topic, so I felt this quote within it most appropriate, coming from a writer with one of the sharpest wits of his generation:
I found it both enthralling and eye opening and urge everyone to read it. And that doesn’t mean only my Australian friends; yes a lot of the examples and some political details are specific to Australia, but the general thrust is universally applicable.
This quote opens the book.
It's fair to say that 80% of the world's problems involve old men hanging on, who are afraid of death and insignificance, and they won't let go.
- Barack Obama
London, 25 September 2025
The book is full of humour, despite the seriousness of the topic, so I felt this quote within it most appropriate, coming from a writer with one of the sharpest wits of his generation:
As George Bernard Shaw put it in Heartbreak House, 'Old men are dangerous: it doesn't matter to them what is going to happen to the world.’
July 28, 2026
Didn’t agree with everything she said and felt a bit biased but there was interesting stuff in here for sure.
The average Australian spends the last TWELVE years of life in very poor health.
The biggest indicator of whether one will receive high quality end of life care is whether they have a daughter.
The average Australian spends the last TWELVE years of life in very poor health.
The biggest indicator of whether one will receive high quality end of life care is whether they have a daughter.
May 21, 2026
Balanced?
The book sets out almost compelling arguments but is hindered by overreliace on personal experiences and therefore biases. It is written in a popularise manner but ultimately lacks the authority that better balance would bring. It is ultimately a rationalist tome lacking empathy and a humanist approach.
The book sets out almost compelling arguments but is hindered by overreliace on personal experiences and therefore biases. It is written in a popularise manner but ultimately lacks the authority that better balance would bring. It is ultimately a rationalist tome lacking empathy and a humanist approach.
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May 7, 2026There are some books that make you stop and reflect, and some that go a step further and make you question your very views on questions of mortality. Going On and On by Lucinda Holdforth is one of those books. In a world where people are desperate to live longer, Holdforth poses a simple question - Why?
Why is the government not doing anything to address what is fast becoming the biggest strain on our economy, our health, our livelihoods. Why do people want to live for decades in a state of such poor health, holding on for too long and affording no power to younger generations?
In saying such, this is a very delicate argument to have for many, both young and old, Yet, Holdforth urges us to reconsider our previously- held views on these things. And most importantly, she does so clearly and with humour.
Why is the government not doing anything to address what is fast becoming the biggest strain on our economy, our health, our livelihoods. Why do people want to live for decades in a state of such poor health, holding on for too long and affording no power to younger generations?
In saying such, this is a very delicate argument to have for many, both young and old, Yet, Holdforth urges us to reconsider our previously- held views on these things. And most importantly, she does so clearly and with humour.
April 22, 2026
Cherry picking balderdash
Pushes his barrow through and over the complexities of individual circumstances and wshes
Maybe she wants A Brave New World
I don’t
Pushes his barrow through and over the complexities of individual circumstances and wshes
Maybe she wants A Brave New World
I don’t
April 29, 2026
Absolutely thought provoking. A read that will or at least should provoke discussions amongst and between each generation.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews