[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fancy_rat)
# Things That Outlive Fancy Rats
The North England Rat Society gives
[longevity awards](http://www.neratsociety.co.uk/html/longevity.shtml) to
promote "excellence in the care and breeding of fancy rats" (as opposed to
[normal rats](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5sc2F0oQvw)?):
> A NERS member owning a rat reaching an age of 28, 32, 36, or 40 months may
> apply for a Longevity award for that rat as follows:
>
> | Age | Award |
> | --------- | ------------------------ |
> | 28 months | Bronze Longevity award |
> | 32 months | Silver Longevity award |
> | 36 months | Gold Longevity award |
> | 40 months | Platinum Longevity award |
Things happened to you in the past 36 months. But you've already forgotten what
felt so permanent. You surmounted what seemed insurmountable. Congratulations,
you survived.
But in those 3 years, did you matter? Did your ideas sputter or accrue momentum?
Did you forge relationships, enact plans, garner insights, create something
grand, become somebody better, etc?
Fast-forward to tommorow. Hours on Instagram and Reddit
[disappear into black holes.](/black-holes) Those chunks of your life will be
gone forever. What is the half-life of doomscrolling dopamine?
In the coming months, you can [spend 500 hours](/500-hours) practicing Japanese
or Rocket League. Which skill will outlive a fancy rat?
Your friend's birthday is coming up again. You could purchase a fungible
Starbuck's gift card or paint an irreplaceable picture of a carefree duck. Which
memory will outlive a fancy rat?
Laundry, meetings, lawncare, obligations -- ephemera will eat your life away if
you don't pay attention.
Would you rather see your name on a novel or a thousand tweets?
Do things that outlive fancy rats.
