To Live Forever

Bryan Johnson, a 47-year-old entrepreneur, has devoted his life to an experiment he calls “Project Blueprint.” The goal of Project Blueprint is to delay aging and possibly achieve immortality. His daily regimen includes over 100 supplements, a calorie-restricted vegan diet, intensive exercise, and precise monitoring of nearly every bodily function. With a motto of “Don’t Die,” Johnson sees himself as a pioneer in the quest to make death optional. Beyond his personal goals, he markets expensive products to his social media followers, further popularizing his vision. 1Johnson’s approach is part of a broader trend in longevity research, with some scientists suggesting that extending human lifespan—even doubling it—might soon be possible. Proponents argue that such advancements could reduce suffering, allowing people to live longer, healthier lives. Extended lifespans might also offer individuals more time to grow, learn, and contribute meaningfully to society. However, the project of extending the lifespan of the longest-lived humans has its critics. Twentieth-century philosopher Bernard Williams argued that immortality might lead to existential boredom, as people exhaust their desires and ambitions. Others worry about fairness—would only the wealthiest, like Johnson, afford immortality, deepening existing inequalities? Immortal elites could dominate politics, economics, and culture, entrenching power indefinitely. Further concerns include resource use and social stagnation. A world filled with immortals might strain the planet’s already limited resources, while eliminating generational turnover could stifle innovation and adaptation. Death, some argue, plays a crucial role in shaping how we value life. Without it, would life lose its meaning and urgency? While Johnson may never achieve his goal, his project raises timeless ethical questions: Should humanity aim to defeat death, or does mortality give life its significance? What costs—social, environmental, or existential—are we willing to accept in pursuit of this goal?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.Is the pursuit of immortality an ethical goal, or does it risk causing harm to individuals or society?

2.How might living forever change our understanding of what makes life meaningful?

3.Should society invest in life-extension technologies, or focus on improving the quality of life for everyone?

4.Could removing death from human existence have unintended social or environmental consequences?

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/dont-die-man-who-wants-to-live-forever1