Stranded Technologies Podcast · Infinita City

Ep. 79: Fireside Chat with Bryan Johnson and Aubrey De Grey – Challenges In The Longevity Movement

February 21, 2024·1 hr 1 min·5 clips

Bryan Johnson argues that 'don't die' is the only principle that can align humanity against annihilation from AI, nukes, and climate change.

This episode features a conversation between Bryan Johnson, founder of the Blueprint longevity protocol, and Dr. Aubrey de Grey, a biomedical gerontologist, hosted in the startup city of Prospera. Johnson focuses on applying data-driven lifestyle and advanced therapies to extend human healthspan, while de Grey is known for pioneering research into reversing aging damage. Their discussion centers on accelerating the development and adoption of longevity science outside traditional regulatory frameworks. Johnson introduces his "Don't Die" philosophy as a unifying global principle to prioritize survival against existential risks like AI, bioterrorism, and aging. He describes Blueprint as an algorithmic system that measures his organs and dictates his diet and sleep to optimize his biology, claiming it makes him happier and freer. De Grey emphasizes the need to combat the suffering caused by aging as a more publicly palatable goal than outright defeating death, arguing success against one inherently addresses the other. He critiques the for-profit longevity industry for being short-termist and advocates for more philanthropic, non-profit funding for early-stage research. Johnson shares that his "Don't Die" hiking events grew from 11 to over 4,000 participants in 58 countries, suggesting a latent public desire for this movement. De Grey recounts a common objection about overpopulation, countering that Earth has enough habitable land to give each person an acre even with eight billion people. Johnson presents a thought experiment about submitting to a health algorithm, noting it takes most people over two hours of discussion to move from rejection to consideration. De Grey states he could not personally subordinate his life to an app like Johnson's, valuing his autonomy too highly. The conversation explores the potential for a centralized "Manhattan Project" for longevity, with de Grey suggesting a cultural shift in East Asia might make it possible there sooner than in the West. Johnson speculates that human minds may no longer be the most qualified intelligence to decide our long-term future, given the rise of advanced AI. The host asks each speaker for advice for the Prospera/Vitalia community, with Johnson suggesting one successful FDA-approved case study could "open the floodgates" for legitimacy. The tone is a collaborative and thought-provoking fireside chat between two leading but philosophically distinct figures in the longevity space. Listeners interested in the practical, entrepreneurial, and philosophical challenges of extending human life will find this episode engaging. Those skeptical of transhumanist ideas or uncomfortable with critiques of traditional medical regulation may find it less appealing.

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