How to Write a Malcolm Gladwell Book

Re:How to Write a Malcolm Gladwell Book by danso on Sunday August 05, 2012 @02:24PM (#4342141)

Not to comment on Gladwell specifically, but it seems to be well-accepted that lifespans in excess of the average retirement age are a huge cost to the system, particularly because of the disproportionate sums used in the very last few years of treatment.

It may be cruel to say so, but it is logical that longer lifespans are costly.

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Re:How to Write a Malcolm Gladwell Book by aswanson on Sunday August 05, 2012 @04:29PM (#4342537)

I dont believe that. It all depends on how you die, not how long you live. My grandfather died at home at 96 years of age, no nurse, no equipment. Just my grandmom and him, at home. I'd bet his medical cost of passing away is far lower than a type-2 diabetic in their mid-60s hospitalized for 5 years before passing, or a lung cancer patient (vis a vis Gladwell's example) going through chemo for 5 years before expiring. His analysis needs much more rigor, imo.

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