The
San Francisco Deep Tech Week
, held on Monday, brought together a diverse group of innovators, scientists, and thought leaders to discuss cutting-edge technology, health, and the future of humanity. The event provided a platform for groundbreaking conversations and showcased the multidisciplinary approach needed to address the grand challenge of extending human life.
One of the sessions featured
Bryan Johnson
, Linda Avey, and Celine Halioua, who explored the themes of longevity, healthspan, and the quest to prolong human life.
Bryan Johnson, a tech entrepreneur, introduced his concept called "don't die," emphasizing the importance of being present in the 25th century and witnessing the impact of our actions in the 21st century.
“Don’t die may seem about vegetables and sleep. But it’s about being present in the 25th century and seeing what we do in the 21st century now. We’re transitioning from knowing to not knowing. Don’t die is the only thing we can say intelligently as a species. I want to become the best don’t die person in human history. I’m hoping that we as a species can align on not destroying each other but be about prosperity,” he said.
When asked about the possibility of humans living beyond 120 years, Johnson cited everyday behaviors that significantly impact our lifespan. “Two cigarettes reduce our lifespan by 30 minutes,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle choices in longevity.
Linda Avey, bringing a scientific perspective, discussed the role of genetic factors in our health. She emphasized the complexity of human biology and the need for more personalized health interventions, such as injecting B12 directly into muscles to bypass the body's varied synthesis processes.
“We are systems. Statins are targeted at such a specific thing that they don’t take into account many of our markers. We need more data to figure out what makes people tick," she said.
Celine Halioua, CEO of Loyal, introduced the distinction between lifespan and healthspan, noting that measuring healthspan remains an unsolved problem. Her insights underscored the challenge of not only extending the number of years we live but also ensuring those years are lived in good health.
Johnson offered practical advice for those seeking to enhance their longevity, recommending abstaining from smoking, exercising six hours a week, limiting alcohol consumption, prioritizing sleep, nurturing family and friend relationships, and following a blueprint diet.
With inputs from Jason, Jake, Chloe
English (US) ·