Is Radical Human Life Extension Possible?

Plain English with Derek Thompson

The Ringer

News Commentary, News

4.8 • 1.8K Ratings

🗓️ 18 October 2024

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In 1900, the average US life expectancy was 47 years old. That's the current age of Tom Brady, Ryan Reynolds, and Shakira. But extraordinary advances in medicine and public health have surged lifespans in the US and throughout the world. The average American currently lives to about 79 years old. How long can this progress continue? As we have gotten so much better at allowing people to live to old age, how much progress have we made at confronting this ultimate boss of longevity? Today’s guest is Professor S. Jay Olshansky, from the school of public health at the University of Illinois at Chicago. We talk about progress and stasis in the most important science project in human history: how to increase human life. If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email us at [email protected]. Host: Derek Thompson Guest: S. Jay Olshansky Producer: Devon Baroldi LINKS: "Implausibility of radical life extension in humans in the twenty-first century" [link] "If Humans Were Built to Last," an illustration of what people would look like if they were optimally designed to live to 100 [link] "Child and Infant Mortality," from Our World in Data [link] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Did you know that scientific studies have found most people lie once every 10 minutes?
0:09.0	In my new podcast, Truthless, I'm talking to people about the lies they tell, from faking illnesses in high pressure
0:17.0	moments to making up stories on national TV.
0:22.4	From Spotify and the Ringer Podcast Network, I'm Brian Phillips.
0:26.0	Listen to Truthless on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. casts.
0:45.0	This episode is brought to you by the UK COVID-19 inquiry. As a parent, as a teacher or as someone working in social services,
0:50.0	you'll have seen how the pandemic affected the lives of children and young people.
0:54.8	The UK COVID-19 inquiry wants to hear about their experiences.
0:59.8	This is your chance to share your story to help learn lessons and protect future generations.
1:06.0	Search every story matters.
1:09.0	This Giving Season, think outside the box and give a little bit more ooh from AO.
1:15.5	For the Starbakers, for the Glower Uppers, for the fitness fans,
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1:36.0	To verify most trusted, visit AO.com slash trust.
1:40.0	Today, living to 100, and taking seriously the possibility of radical life extension.
1:50.4	If you ask me, what is the single most hopeful picture on the internet?
1:55.0	I would direct your attention to the website Our World in Data
2:00.0	and the page with the inauspicious title Child and Infant Mortality.
	...

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