Tickled by Bill Gates, I do my best to come up with a plausible reason for optimism. To my surprise, it pops up in my mind at once: blessed death. Thanks, Bill!

Addendum (April 15, 2019)

By the way, these thoughts have little to do with my present age, which is rapidly approaching three quarters of a century. The first time I pinned them down in no uncertain terms was a quarter of a century ago (“Bravo!” October 23, 1994). Back then, I was not yet half a century old, either. And it is still an enormous joy to read the original piece and the four addenda extending it, which were written in 1995, 1998, 2002, and 2016. Death, as well as the awareness of death, are among the greatest gifts of nature, indeed. One more time, and with unbridled enthusiasm, my most sincere thanks!