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Blake, Wm. The Lord Answering Job out of the Whirlwind. 1805.

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In Silicon Valley, a growing group of “Immortalists,” comprised of venture capitalists, tech tycoons, crypto experts, and AI researchers, argue that any rational and good person would want to live forever—and they’ve focused their efforts on making that a possibility.

Different methods have been explored with significant investment, including supplements, cryogenic freezing, and digitizing consciousness. Leaders like Jeff Bezos, Larry Page, and Sam Altman have pledged hundreds of millions of dollars toward companies pursuing these initiatives.

Within this group of “Immortalists” are different factions. There are the “Biotechs,” who are developing drugs to improve lifespan, like one that promotes autophagy—the ability of a cell to recycle molecular waste. Currently, one of the most promising treatments for this group is a drug that increases the lifespan of dogs, which has shown success in trials and is awaiting FDA approval.

Another group is the “Wellness Obsessives,” who think placing medical care into their own hands is the key to a longer life. Members of this school of thought include tech tycoon Bryan Johnson, who has spent millions crafting a meticulous routine designed to give him the body of an 18-year-old.

Lastly, there are the “Radicals,” who argue a much more revolutionary and socioeconomic approach must be pursued, like establishing futuristic cities with well-thought-out urban development. They say everything from green spaces to innovation zones can ultimately make people healthier.

Others, like Elon Musk, are skeptical of these efforts, saying unusual longevity would cause the “asphyxiation of society.”