I would rather live into my old age as an unknown schlep than die young for the sake of having my name known. My name doesn't even have that great a ring to it. However, if I could choose the reason for my fame, and have that reason be a vehicle for changing aspects of the country or world that I'd like to change, than I would find my life sufficiently happy and effective to be worth the early death. For instance, if I became outrageously famous for bringing about a change in global consciousness and thinking that ended humanity's cycle of war and destruction, well then, of course I would consider those 70-odd years something worth losing. If, however, I was insanely famous for being the skinniest guy to go into space or something, then I would much rather have a long life of love and leisure than some worthless name recognition.
It's all in the means.
It's all in the means.
