Who Wants to Live Forever? Now is the time for Optimism!

The sad fact remains that 80% suffer from at least one chronic condition. Basically, we’ve done a pretty poor job at looking after ourselves, and in this increasingly fast-paced, uber-modern world it’s time that we take a fresh look at ‘how we age’. And this, I’m pleased to report, is exactly what has been happening behind the scenes. I have been closely following advances in areas of science that could be about to transform the way people look at aging. What if we could be younger longer, a lot longer? Well, I’ve been doing some digging, and I think you may be excited by some of the things I’ve uncovered.

What really piques my interest is that finally, after a century of healthcare being dominated by medicine with its focus on ‘sick care, we are finally looking at turning the tables and looking more towards prevention and regeneration. We have the biggest tech companies in the world facing the problems associated with disease and aging head-on! The race is on with Google, Apple, Amazon, Facebook and hundreds of smaller companies pitching enormous resources into the arena. At the same time, we are seeing these industries experiencing massive, exponential growth in terms of speed, capacity and performance, with faster computers creating ever-faster super-computers.

The potential here is pretty much without limits and you should perhaps prepare to have your minds blown. Peter Diamandis, of Singularity University, suggests that advances in sensors and networks, together with Artificial Intelligence, will revolutionize diagnostics; robotics and the 3-D printing of human tissue will advance procedures; whilst quantum computing, AI and genomics will transform the development of medicines to make healthcare not only preventative, but personalized. Before long we will have the knowledge, the will, and the ability to extend our ‘healthspans’ and ultimately our ‘lifespans’ bringing about the greatest advances in human potential the world has ever seen. What is there not to be excited about?

The 'Three Bridges'

For those interested in healthy longevity, there is good reason to be enormously excited. Even during the decade ahead, we will see breakthroughs of such importance that the very future of humanity will begin to be reshaped before our eyes. We really are approaching a ‘Eureka moment’ in history.

Ray Kurzweil, the futurist, describes three bridges that must be crossed to access areas of amazing growth on the far side. Realizing that these technological advances will bring advances in healthcare that today would seem nothing short of miraculous, Kurzweil suggests that the problems associated with aging will become increasingly easy to tackle as technological advances layer on top of each other. As our potential for prolonged vitality increases incrementally, our personal strategy could look something like this.

Firstly, to cross “Bridge One” we simply need to remain healthy long enough to enjoy the first wave of technological advances that are coming down the pipe. This we already know how to do, far more so than most people realize, and by applying present knowledge we can buy ourselves an extra 14 +/- years. So, let’s say this take us to 94 instead of 80.

Now we’ve reached “Bridge Two” when the Biotech Revolution (DNA reprogramming/sequencing and stem-cell technology) will allow us to live a further 15-20 years and to reach the third bridge. Now think in terms of hitting 110+ years instead of 90+.

As we cross "Bridge Three," nanotechnology and AI (nanobots) will soon be operating at the intracellular level. Miniscule machines circulating in the blood, doing repair work to arteries and organs, removing cancer cells, viruses and other unwanted visitors will then give us the ability to extend life enormously whilst other advances will see us actually reversing the aging process in many respects. What are the limits? Probably none, as it is likely that tech advances will eventually be able to overcome all obstacles. I’m already telling my kids to prepare for a life of 150+ years.

Me? I’m 60 years old who feels 40 most days and it would be a shame to miss out on some extra quality years. I intend to stay as I am for another two decades and then we’ll see where I go from there. Mine really could be the last generation to live a normal lifespan! I think a longevity mindset is worth adopting, one that is both optimistic and focused on possibilities. You have to be in it to win it and any side effects can only be good. Am I obsessing about living to 100 plus? No, but I’m definitely putting some serious effort into extending my ‘healthspan’ and if I end up crossing that first bridge then it’s game on; I’ll play whatever cards I’m left holding.