I’ve long considered the possibility that I may live forever.
No, not in the metaphorical sense through my children, but literally.
While I nearly have a degree in Biochemistry (three-and-a-half years as a biochem major will do that), I had no scientific reasoning to believe this. I simply understand the pace of technological innovation we’re currently experiencing and the vast potential that machine learning and AI possess.
The logical conclusion, for me at least, will be grossly extended life if not immortality.
And don’t be fooled. It won’t be a light switch moment. Like lockdowns during COVID-19, it’s all about buying time… initially. All we really need to do is extend our lives bit by bit until it’s perpetual.
In fact, I believed this so much that during the earliest days our boys were born I remember looking at them in fascination, thinking “These guys will live forever”. I shared this with Kaitlin who gave me that half eyeroll but, “I know you actually believe what you’re saying” look.
I’m convinced that will be true, but I’m not yet convinced I’ll make the cut.
But I’m becoming increasingly hopeful I might.
In May, what feels like a lifetime ago for all of us by now, I tweeted the following:
I often look at my boys and tell them they will live forever, but I “probably am outside that window”. Weird, I know.
— TBiz (@TravisBiziorek) May 14, 2020
But maybe I’m wrong. Perhaps I’ll get to join them. https://t.co/Z2O0ieH17P
The article links to a scientific publication about an age reversal experiment in rats. But if you don’t want to read that, David Sinclair does a fantastic job of giving his thoughts on it in this tweet thread. Ironically, I’m just now realizing I ran into David back in May (more on that in a bit).
Reflecting now, I wish I’d dove into this more back then. But I brushed by it, happy to know it was happening, and pleased that my inner dream was perhaps a reality.
Then, a few weeks ago, I stumbled on Longevity Marketcap, a website dedicated to the field studying longevity (curing ageing) run by Nathan Cheng. I discovered this through a tweet from Balaji Srinivasan, a brilliant guy I enjoy following on Twitter.
I signed up for the newsletter and started devouring content. Then, just last week, buried in the newsletter were two book recommendations:
- Lifespan – Why We Age and Why We Don’t Have To by David Sinclair (remember him from above?)
- Ending Aging by Aubrey de Grey
I ordered both books and have nearly finished Sinclair’s, and it’s hands down the most fascinating read I’ve encountered.
If you have any interest in a better, longer life or how we just may be able to cure ageing (and why it’s not as hard as it sounds), I’d encourage you to explore the resources I just listed.
I’ve already started taking action, both investing in longevity companies via publicly traded stock and taking supplements that have been proven to extend life in laboratory mice.
I’ll be talking about both of those more in coming posts.