Have you ever really thought about life expectancy figures?

Imagine that only 20% of people in this country made it to age 50. My parents are right at that age, and I know that at least the same case is true for most of my peers. I have relied on my parents, as many students do, for financial support during these past years at school. Even if they don't actually give you money, the hope is that they are in a position to support themselves enough to give you the time and freedom to pursue your own interests. But what if 4 out of 5 people my age didn't have parents anymore, or had parents so ill that their care and support became priority number one? I don't think quite as many would actually be in college.

Now let's think about the most influential and important people in this country. Members of government, the most learned scholars and researchers, CEOs of the biggest companies--for better or worse, they're more typically in their 50's than in their 20's or 30's. At 47 years old, Barack Obama is the fifth youngest president we've ever had in all 220 years of presidents--and he's right at the life expectancy of Nigeria.

You might think people are at their prime in their 30's, but it's (relatively) old people that make things happen. And not even the president--I'm talking about elementary school principles, fire chiefs, physicians, mayors, and district attorneys. The social and economic effects of a 20% survival rate past 50 would turn us upside-down. And it's what's happening in developing nations around the world, thanks more to cardiovascular disease than almost anything else.

It's been almost a year since I first saw this talk. It's informative, thought-provoking, and has inspired me personally and shaped my professional ambitions. You do have 17 minutes, and you should watch it.