The people who say things say that most of the modern world’s population will live to be about 80 years old. However, the average age for symphony conductors is approximately 94 years old. While this could simply be a coincidence (or the people who say things telling more lies, as their propaganda machine churns and bubbles in the background like an industrial strength Mr. Coffee), it could also mean that conductors tend to have longer life spans than the rest of us. While that is the obvious answer, it boggles the mind that one particular profession would live longer than most others would.

After all, it is not as if conductors do not have their share of stressors to contend with. After all, if a show goes poorly, the audience has one person (who is literally “up on a pedestal”) to blame and to throw rotten vegetables at. The conductor may brow beat the players, but they are ultimately wielding the instruments. If they make a sour note, or hold too long (or perhaps not long enough), the conductor is ultimately considered to be accountable. But perhaps, and this is only a vague theory, the concept of control is the most important part of living a longer life span.

If you plan out what you do, and keep it organized (while you cast yourself as the divinely appointed dictator of the whole mess), you might just have more than “a shot” of living to be exceptionally mature. It may very well be that the act of taking responsibility for things that are under your influence but not your direct control, and planning for future occurrences, can be a deciding factor in living a longer life span. And while there is no guarantee that a longer life is a more satisfying one, you may end up being more satisfied if you plan things and they actually work out.