Both easy questions for me. I would not go with the aliens; everything I value highly is on Earth. I would not trade any years of life (unless I'm allowed a fractional answer) either now or when I was in my 30s, because statistically it's a fair bet that I'd lose more than I'd gain.
I've never given an answer to the aliens one and it seems unsafe to start now. Wrt ageing -- in my 30s I'd have given up 15 years, but that does mean I'd be getting close to the precipice now. Today the trade-off is worth less, of course, but that gives a follow-up question: how many years would I pay to revert to being 35? Hmm...
My instinctive answer to the aliens was exactly the same as your Aussie friend's.
As for the years of life, that's a good one. Twenty years of becoming increasingly decrepit, or fewer years of being mostly healthy, albeit showing signs of wear? I'd happily take fifteen at this level. Ten, maybe not.
Both easy questions for me. I would not go with the aliens; everything I value highly is on Earth. I would not trade any years of life (unless I'm allowed a fractional answer) either now or when I was in my 30s, because statistically it's a fair bet that I'd lose more than I'd gain.
I've never given an answer to the aliens one and it seems unsafe to start now. Wrt ageing -- in my 30s I'd have given up 15 years, but that does mean I'd be getting close to the precipice now. Today the trade-off is worth less, of course, but that gives a follow-up question: how many years would I pay to revert to being 35? Hmm...
My instinctive answer to the aliens was exactly the same as your Aussie friend's.
As for the years of life, that's a good one. Twenty years of becoming increasingly decrepit, or fewer years of being mostly healthy, albeit showing signs of wear? I'd happily take fifteen at this level. Ten, maybe not.