Human beings may be the only species on Earth to fear death. The fear of death requires an ability to imagine — and to imagine ceasing to exist. Yes, other species feel fear and understand loss, but we may be unique in our ability (and desire) to envision a long-distant event and respond to that imagined event with real terror.

Over the millennia, we have worked hard to overcome our fear of death in a myriad of ways. Belief systems featuring post-death lives have always been popular–whether they include eternal union with the universe, eternal life in heaven (or hell), reincarnation, or some other form of spiritual permanence.

But while many of us believe in some form of afterlife, most of us want to prolong our lives here on Earth, in our existing bodies, for as long as possible. The desire stay young, strong, and beautiful forever–right here on Earth–has been the focus of alchemists, geographers, makeup artists, and longevity experts of all sorts for as long as recorded history.

Thanksgiving, 2023, featured performances by two stars–Dolly Parton at the Dallas Cowboys halftime show and Cher in the Macy’s Parade in New York–who are well into their 70’s. While most of us would consider 77 to be “old,” both stars, with significant help from surgeons, fitness gurus, makup artists, hair stylists, and clothing designers, managed to appear as young, fit, and energetic as they did more than 50 years ago.

For some, the appearance of elderly stars as current pop icons was inspiring. After all, if Dolly Parton can look like a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader at 77, and sing as beautifully as ever, perhaps she is really defying the realiities of age and death. If Cher looks just as sexy now as she did in 1970, maybe she — and we — can drink from the fountain of youth.

There are those who encourage the idea of aging gracefully by accepting the changes and limitations of the years. And there are those who recommend defying age and impending death through health, fitness, fashion, makeup, and surgical means. For those who have the money, health, genetics, and desire, it does seem almost possible to maintain youth through the years.

What’s your perspective on the Fountain of Youth? If it existed, would you drink from it?