Believe me, I am confident that things like nanotechnology, mapping the genome, and other absolutely incredible breakthroughs in science will lead to longer life, by an exponential, not multiple, factor. Think of the ramifications of finding ways to slow aging so that a man or woman 500 years old has the health of a 30 year old. The possibility of space travel to another solor system would be within our reach. Heck, the possibility of just roaming around in space for the heck of it would be within our reach. We are living, IMO, in the most exciting time for advancements in healthcare, science, and technology.
I agree.. I'm sad the tpf is cancelled, however, I think the Planetary Society can fund the telescope themselves. As for science I'm not afraid at all...