What processes cause aging?

The topic for this week, "What processes cause aging?" is very related to last week's question of "Why we age".  Essentially, they are two separate questions, but often go hand in hand.  While we didn't discuss every theory related to aging (there are hundreds!) the chapter presented some examples in addition to what your classmates also discussed or linked to in their own blogs. 

For this week, I have two tasks:

1. Read the blogs of your classmates. Either leave a comment or pose a question regarding something they linked to or discussed (this can be previous posts).

2. Create a short post mentioning something interesting you read about for this weeks readings.

 

Why Does Aging Happen

The reading for this week is the chapter "Why does aging happen?" from the book, "Why we age: What science is discovering through the body's journey through life".  The book takes categorizes thoughts into three causal theories of aging.  These include: "the good-of-the species theory, the rate-of-living theory and the evolutionary aging theory" (p. 55).  Do you agree with any of these theories?  Are there any other theories out there that you find interesting or have discussed in a class?

For your own blogging this week:
In your own words, how would you explain "Why we age?"

Can you give an example or provide a link to an interesting source that supports your explanation?

What is Healthy Aging?

Our first class discussion is regarding "What is Healthy Aging?"
What would you define as healthy aging?
At what point in the lifespan does aging happen?
How would you measure this?  Can it be applied to everyone?


Assignment:
1. Create your own blog.
2. Write a post on what your definition of healthy aging is.  Include examples of what is or isn't healthy aging.  Are there other definitions on the web that you found?
3. Add class members to your blog roll.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Spring 2011 Honors Seminar: Healthy Development and Aging (or HDA for short).

Each member of the seminar will be creating their own blog for individual posting, which will be noted on the "blog roll" section of this blog (right hand side).  I have mine set so that the most recently updated blog will show up on top. 

Feel free to add any additional postings or comments than what will be required.