Paradigm shifts in science, health, longevity, and society

Healthcare has experienced a number of key disruptions over the centuries, with pre-existing "expert" opinion resisting a troublesome new idea before a sufficient wave of momentum built up to a tipping point. Progress in science and medicine isn't always entirely rational, since obstacles arise from adverse human psychology, from dysfunctional incentive systems, and from worldviews which provided blinkers rather than discernment.

In 2023, numerous potential paradigm shifts are competing for our attention and our support. They include decentralisation (as opposed to centralisation), geroscience (focusing on the underlying mechanisms of aging rather than on specific age-related diseases), and superlongevity (not just life extension but life expansion).

These paradigm shifts are enabled by the increasing power of the NBIC technologies of the fourth industrial revolution. But just because a paradigm shift is possible, it doesn't mean it's desirable.

In this joint meetup, with members of both DeSci (Decentralised Science) and London Futurists, we'll be discussing how to distinguish the healthcare paradigm shifts that are not only credible (as opposed to science fiction) but also beneficial (as opposed to deceptive). What are the prospects for a new decentralised science approach to developing and distributing superlongevity solutions?

The lead speaker will be David Wood, Chair of London Futurists, and the author of 12 books, including The Abolition of Aging and The Death of Death.

There's no charge to register or attend.

Location: A private Room in The Cocktail Club, Oxford Circus.

Agenda:
- 18:30: Drinks and networking
- 19:30: Scene-setting remarks by David Wood
- 19:50: Lots of time for Q&A
- 20:30: Food!

The costs of food and drink are kindly being supported on this occasion by VitaDAO. As you can read on their website:

VitaDAO is a community-owned collective dedicated to funding and advancing longevity science research that can improve people's lives. With your support we can turn the tide on age related disease.

About the DeSci meetup: Check out the group here.