Would you want to live for hundreds of years? I’m talking good, healthy, years. How about living forever? What is the ultimate lifespan to squeeze all we want out of life before we move on?

Life expectancy in our country increased drastically over the past 225 years, from a youthful 39 in the year 1800 to our current life expectancy of 79.4. Yet there is only a modest estimated increase – to 80.4 by the year 2050. Is it conceivable that we could make it to 200 years or more? Bryan Johnson thinks so.

Johnson is a tech billionaire who’s made it his mission “not to die.” He’s pursuing an ambitious venture called “Project Blueprint” to drastically extend his lifespan and possibly live forever. He spends roughly $2 million annually on a strict lifestyle regimen and has a team of 30 medical experts to monitor and optimize his body’s functions.

At 47 years old, Bryan appears almost robotic in appearance and delivery. He is a huge believer in Artificial Intelligence (AI) finding ways to reverse or extend our lifespan. His current routine includes a rigid diet, avoiding vices such as smoking, alcohol and even staying up late, and dozens of high-tech lifestyle tweaks. He claims to be the most measured human being and believes that we do not have to die.

After listening to his interviews with the Free Press and Chris Cuomo – and watching his Netflix documentary “Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever“, I found myself both intrigued and appalled. Intrigued, because I do love a good science hack for staying healthy. Appalled, because I don’t believe we are meant to live forever. To me, that’s just fundamentally wrong.

I’m not alone in my opinion. Johnson’s endeavor raises questions about the nature of aging, the limits of human potential, and the ethical considerations surrounding radical life extension. But, do we even want to live for hundreds of years, let alone forever?

Many people are hard-wired to believe that life is a cycle and there is a beginning and an end. For those who follow a faith, there is also a reward at the end of a life. One that involves a better place, and being reunited with loved ones who have already passed away. A better existence where there is no pain, no suffering. The promised land. Heaven.

When I asked my 92-year-old mother if she would want to live forever, she was quick to answer. “No. I’d rather go to Heaven. God didn’t plan for us to live forever. Part of living is also dying.” She also had no interest in living hundreds of years.

And then there are the practical concerns. How would we financially support ourselves during those bonus years? Would we continue to work until, say 175 years old, and then settle into a retirement of 50 years? Would this be an option for only the wealthy, or would we morph into a leisure class of humans who no longer have to work to survive? What about purpose and productivity?

What would we do to stay busy as the years rolled on? Of course, we’d spend much of it with family and friends – but would our great-great grandchildren want to spend time with us, or would they mainly focus on their great-grandparents? Would we play endless games of pickleball with the same group of ultra-agers? Do lots of crossword puzzles? Would we get tired of each other after hundreds of years? Or would we rotate friends?

What would people pushing 200 even look like? Would we have perfected anti-aging skin remedies to the point that we “don’t look a day over 80?” Will we all have every joint eventually replaced in what will become a regular in-office procedure?

Even as we find cures for diseases and slow the aging process, even as we gradually extend the life expectancy, would it ever be okay to live forever? If not, what is the optimal lifespan?

Sadly (or maybe thankfully), we don’t get to choose how long we live. Sorry Bryan Johnson, but all the money, technology and healthy choices in the world can easily be eclipsed by chance and fate.

I believe that most people would be content living enough years to have simply achieved something good. To have made a difference in someone’s life. To have left a legacy. To have visited a few amazing places or have done a few amazing things. To have tried and failed and then tried again.

After all, It’s not the length of a life that matters. It’s how it was lived.

Readers weigh in on the question: Would you want to live to be 200?

Andrew Miller: “If I could live off the interest of my investments, absolutely. I’d love to be free not to have commitments, yet responsibility is rewarding.

Cindy Magsamen: “Maybe 200 years is too many. However, I would welcome additional quality years in retirement. It seems like so many leave this earth a few short years after retirement.”

Willie Hansen: “No, 200 is too old. I would want to be alive to see my grandchildren grow up and have children. 120 would be the limit for me – if I am in good health. I want to live forever in Heaven.”

Denny Waller: “100, 200 – it’s all so short. The question is what to do with the time we have.”

David McCall: “Yes. I’d like to live that long. Finally read all the books I have accumulated. No, we should not be able to live forever. Imagine how crowded the earth would be if every human born on earth was still alive.

Jill Kemper: “How much time is enough time? 200 years seems like a lot of time, but what we have now doesn’t seem like enough. All I want is more family time. More experiences and memories to cherish with family.”

Angie Crawford: “Not when Heaven is so much better and that’s where all my loved ones will be.”

Michael Lewis Street: “No thank you. I have an important place to be. I’m going home.”

Claire Prudhomme: “Yes, I would love to live at least that long. What a great adventure. Many more things to learn and perfect. Places to visit and more people to be friends with. Live forever? Big question to be discussed over a drink.”

Tom Trick: “No thanks, but retaining my knowledge for a do-over would be interesting.”