Name: What I learned from 2,000 obituaries
Uploaded: 2017-03-01T16:05:49Z
Duration: 5 min 58 s
Description: Lux Narayan starts his day with scrambled eggs and the question: "Who died today?" Why? By analyzing 2,000 New York Times obituaries over a 20-month period, Narayan gleaned, in just a few words, what achievement looks like over a lifetime. Here he shares what those immortalized in print can teach us about a life well lived.

Lux Narayan starts his day with scrambled eggs and the question: "Who died today?" Why? By analyzing 2,000 New York Times obituaries over a 20-month period, Narayan gleaned, in just a few words, what achievement looks like over a lifetime. Here he shares what those immortalized in print can teach us about a life well lived.

Lux Narayan: What I learned from 2,000 obituaries

What I learned from 2,000 obituaries

Analyzing 2,000 obituaries revealed the average age for significant achievements is 37, suggesting patience in life's pursuits.

Over 40% of memorable obituaries involve arts and creativity, challenging societal norms that prioritize traditional careers.

The essence of a well-lived life often includes helping others, a common thread in obituaries of both famous and non-famous individuals.