Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives

by Daniel J. Levitin

There is an ancient story about the tension between longevity and quality of life. According to Greek mythology, Eos was the goddess of the dawn. Every morning she rode on a purple chariot drawn by two horses, wearing a saffron-colored robe, to bring in the day. She fell deeply in love with the mortal Tithonos, the prince of Troy. As a goddess she was immortal and couldn’t stand the thought that Tithonos would eventually die and she’d have to spend eternity without him. She implored Zeus to grant immortality to Tithonos, and Zeus agreed. But Eos didn’t think to also ask for the gift of youth that she and the other gods and goddesses enjoyed. While Eos stayed eternally young, Tithonos became an old man, decrepit, lacking even enough strength to move his legs. He continued to age until he eventually lost his mind. She moved him out of her home and put him in a chamber by himself, where he continued to live mindlessly and infirm. Immortality and youth are not the same thing.