Interesting point about LOTR; I believe that what matters is that we have the option to choose our approach to life and longevity... and so "quality" vs. "quantity" and some combination of these that suit us as individuals, rather than feeling enslaved to a cultural more that we "must" always strive to maximize our years.

And you're right, it's not popular with people. But for whom do we actually live? For ourselves, or to please societal standards?