Abolishing aging by 2040 - why, how, and who
Details
What could be more natural than aging? We seem to see it everywhere we look.
Except... that there are many creatures in nature that don't actually age.
And... even if something is "natural", that doesn't mean we should accept it. Indeed, it's a hallmark of human nature that we seek to find ways to transcend our human nature.
In this talk, hosted by Funzing at the Sway Bar in Covent Garden, David Wood, chair of London Futurists, will argue that, by 2040, we could have abolished human aging.
It’s a big “if”, but if we decide as a species to make this project a priority, there’s around a 50% chance that practical rejuvenation therapies resulting in the comprehensive reversal of aging will be widely available as early as 2040.
People everywhere, on the application of these treatments, will, if they wish, stop becoming biologically older. Instead, again if they wish, they’ll start to become biologically younger, in both body and mind, as rejuvenation therapies take hold. In short, everyone will have the option to become ageless.
This possibility tends to provoke two powerful objections. First, people say that it’s not possible that such treatments are going to exist in any meaningful timescale any time soon. In other words, they insist that human rejuvenation can’t be done. It’s wishful thinking to suppose otherwise, they say. It’s bad science. It’s naively over-optimistic. It’s ignorant of the long history of failures in this field. The technical challenges remain overwhelmingly difficult.
Secondly, people say that any such treatments would be socially destructive and morally indefensible. In other words, they insist that human rejuvenation shouldn’t be done. It’s essentially a selfish idea, they say – an idea with all kinds of undesirable consequences for societal harmony or planetary well-being. It’s an arrogant idea, from immature minds. It’s an idea that deserves to be strangled.
Can’t be done; shouldn’t be done – this talk will argue that both these objections are profoundly wrong. The speaker will argue instead that rejuvenation is a noble, highly desirable, eminently practical destiny for our species – a “Humanity+” destiny that could be achieved within just one human generation from now. The abolition of aging is set to take its place on the upward arc of human social progress, echoing developments such as the abolition of slavery, the abolition of racism, and the abolition of poverty.
In more detail, the talk will highlight issues and opportunities about:
• Ongoing "business as usual" medical improvements
• Various forthcoming engineering disruptions of the medical field
• Various forthcoming social and political disruptions relevant to life extension.
The talk will also suggest key actions that can be taken to increase the probability of the success of the rejuveneering project.
== Timing ==
Doors open, 7pm
Talk starts, 7.30pm
Short break for drinks, c. 8.30pm
Talk continues, with Q&A, till c. 9.15pm
== To attend this talk ==
IMPORTANT: To attend this talk, it is essential to visit the Funzing page for this talk, and purchase a ticket there (cost £12). The link is https://uk.funzing.com/funz/the-abolition-of-ageing-by-2040-14774
That page also contains audience reviews of occasions when an earlier version of this talk was given.