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Longevity Heroism or Narcissism?


I don’t know about you, but I strongly reacted to reading about Bryan Johnson, a wealthy entrepreneur from Venice Beach who is so enamored by the idea of becoming biologically young again that he’s spending $2 million per year to “live the dream.”

I’ve written quite a bit about the anti-aging industrial complex, which creates products to give women (mostly) the illusion they’re not aging. But I’ve written far less about the men who want to live forever or look like they’re Benjamin Button.

So, yes, Bryan Johnson is today’s pinata. Why do I feel a visceral emotional response when I read this Fortune magazine article? Am I feeling pity that he’s so self-obsessed that he’s investing his privileged gains in this narcissistic conceit? Is it envy because I know my own body is falling apart? Is it “shame on him” because he will forever look like a porcelain doll?

Maybe I should have some appreciation for his efforts. Who knows, some of the scientific lessons from his case study might help others. They call this “regenerative medicine.” Of course, on this sarcastic day, I call it “narcissistic medicine.”

What do you think?

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