The Science of Aging: 199

The Warranty Was Mostly DecorativeAging is the longest-running scientific experiment most of us will ever participate in, and nobody remembers signing the consent form. The experiment begins quietly. A child grows taller, a teenager grows opinions, and a young adult grows convinced that sleep is optional. Then, somewhere between buying a sensible pair of shoes and becoming genuinely interested in the quality of a restaurant's parking lot, the experiment changes direction. Growth becomes maintenance. Recovery requires scheduling. The body begins issuing little notices suggesting that several departments are operating with reduced staff.The strange thing about aging is that it happens gradually until it suddenly seems to have happened all at once. One morning, you are perfectly capable of sitting on the floor. That afternoon, you realize getting back up will require a strategy, a sturdy table, and perhaps a small rescue team. You still feel like yourself, but your knees have become independent contractors. Your back has developed a weather service. Your metabolism, once a roaring furnace, now behaves like a county employee five minutes before closing time.