5 replies to this topic

[Brafarality]

Pretty interesting and extensive brand new article on life extension, referencing some of the respected believers such as Aubrey de Grey and others, and including a long discussion with same:

http://www.thedailyb...ck-science.html

Edited by Brafarality, 24 July 2013 - 03:50 PM.

[YOLF]

Very interesting find!

We can all help out Aubrey's predictions by signing this petition:
https://www.change.o...human-lifespans

[niner]

Yeah, that's a very interesting article. It's worth a read. A NewsWeek guy interviews Aubrey and an elderly physician by the name of Walter Boortz. Boortz claims to be the "scientist" here, but listen to this nonsense he spouts after Aubrey describes the seven forms of aging damage:

NW: Walter, do you agree with Aubrey’s definition of aging?
Bortz: My definition of aging is broader in that it’s not just human-driven. It’s universal. Everything in the universe ages. To me, aging is the effect of an energy flow on matter over time. That is not confined to life. It’s inorganic as well as organic. It takes in canyons and Chevys and everything.

[YOLF]

Wow, I must not have read that far. Does matter age? Maybe he's talking about radioactive decay? Maybe he's gone senile?

[Brafarality]

Yeah, that's a very interesting article. It's worth a read. A NewsWeek guy interviews Aubrey and an elderly physician by the name of Walter Boortz. Boortz claims to be the "scientist" here, but listen to this nonsense he spouts after Aubrey describes the seven forms of aging damage:

NW: Walter, do you agree with Aubrey’s definition of aging?
Bortz: My definition of aging is broader in that it’s not just human-driven. It’s universal. Everything in the universe ages. To me, aging is the effect of an energy flow on matter over time. That is not confined to life. It’s inorganic as well as organic. It takes in canyons and Chevys and everything.

Agreed. Dr. de Grey seems like a rational person stricken with death anxiety and ready to harness science and technology to thwart it. Dr. Boortz, on the other hand, is definitely more zen in his outlook. His take on aging reminds me of the riddle in the Hobbit as opposed to something empirical or metaphysical:

This thing all things devours:
Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats high mountains down.

Not sure if he's senile. Rather think he just hasn't given it much thought and is sort of winging it in his replies to the specific and precise assertions of de Grey. Not that de Grey is right or anything, just that he has given it some serious serious contemplation. But, Dr. Boortz does endorse vigorous exercise, particularly walking. Not sure about intense exercise, but walking is definitely cool.

Edited by Brafarality, 26 July 2013 - 04:15 PM.

[niner]

Dr. de Grey seems like a rational person stricken with death anxiety...

What causes you to think that? He doesn't seem like the anxious type, and has claimed that he doesn't expect these technologies to arrive in time for him. He purports to be doing this for the good of humanity (and our pets, presumably...). At some point in the future, when it is clear that aging can be treated in a fundamental way, society is going to wonder why we waited so long to support rejuvenation technology. Aubrey will probably be viewed very differently then.