Chasing Immortality: A Philosophical and Political Reflection

“While you live, while you may, become good.” – Marcus Aurelius

It seems that the subject of immortality has entered my world over the past couple of months. First, I watched a Netflix documentary, Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, which narrates the bizarre experiment that Bryan Johnson, a tech millionaire, is conducting to extend his life. It’s quite disturbing, in my opinion, but also intriguing. I definitely recommend watching it, as it’s sometimes useful to understand where people’s thoughts lie regarding immortality.

Then, I encountered the subject again while reading Bittersweet by Susan Cain. In her book, she discusses an immortality project and a group of people who celebrate RAADfest—Revolution Against Aging and Death. By the way, the admission options for 2025 RAADfest are $727 for general admission and $2,997 for VIP admission. According to Fast Company, there were about 1,000 people in attendance in 2018—that’s a lot of money if you do the math. 

Just when I thought I was done reading about immortality, I came across a news article discussing The Rise of the Superhuman, which reported on the efforts of certain individuals to achieve eternal life. The article highlighted Bryan Johnson—the Netflix guy—and even Elon Musk, who founded Neuralink. Neuralink is working on a brain-computer interface (BCI) designed to transmit signals directly between biological brains and silicon chips. A chip implanted in a human brain—now that is a great topic for an article in itself.

What struck me about the news article was that the one immediately following it was about U.S. foreign policy.

Naturally, my mind made the connection between the pursuit of immortality and the foreign and domestic policies of the United States and other governments worldwide. This has taken me on a philosophical journey—something new for me. My question, though I’m sure it will evolve, is:

Is immortality the answer to our common good?

Today, my goal is simply to lay out some thoughts on this topic and get my brain moving. Of course, I’m not a philosopher, but after spending time reading Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, Letters from a Stoic by Seneca, and Enchiridion by Epictetus, I’ve begun to appreciate philosophy and its role. So, I figured it was worth spending some time pondering this subject—because, why not?

Let’s start with the human enhancement article, which describes how the wealthy and investment funds are pushing this idea forward.

The article begins with Christian Angermayer, a German billionaire who, according to the report, had a revelation while tripping on hallucinogenic mushrooms: he realized he had a personal mission to help humanity improve itself. He contributed to a $101 million fund supporting scientific initiatives to slow aging and is backing the Enhanced Games—a competition where athletes can win $1 million for breaking world records using performance-enhancing substances.1

The same article reported that Bryan Johnson spends $2 million a year trying to stay young. His regimen includes waking up at 5 AM, taking 100 pills daily, ceasing to eat after 11 AM, and going to bed at 8:30 PM. He even sleeps alone for optimal rest.2 I’m not sure I want to spend the rest of my live doing this daily routine. 

As for Elon Musk, the article discusses Neuralink’s goals, which extend beyond helping people with disabilities to enhancing cognitive abilities by connecting human brains with artificial intelligence.3

These wealthy individuals are pouring billions of dollars into the quest for immortality.

The second article I read explores U.S. foreign policy regarding Russia and suggests a growing alignment in global geopolitics. I won’t go into the details, but it describes how the U.S. asserts its influence over its sphere, citing examples such as trade relations with Canada and control over the Panama Canal. Regarding Russia, it highlights the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and the broader spread of Russian right-wing movements across Europe.4 Of course, similar geopolitical tensions exist worldwide, from Congo and Venezuela to Israel, Palestine, China, Turkey, and Yemen. This is not just a U.S.-Russia issue—it is, in my opinion, a human issue rooted in a lack of virtues. 

After reading these two articles and observing global events, I started questioning whether immortality is truly desirable. 

History has shown us that many so-called advancements made in the name of humanity have been repurposed for personal gain and the consolidation of power. We don’t have to look far to find examples of leaders who claimed to act for the greater good, only to use their power to oppress others.

I’m starting to think that we should accept our mortality and make the most of the time we have—loving our families, supporting our communities, working toward peace, and defending human rights and freedoms.

Should the vast wealth invested in the pursuit of immortality instead be directed toward improving lives—feeding the hungry, providing shelter, creating jobs, providing affordable healthcare services? Wouldn’t it be better to ensure that children at least have a chance to reach adulthood rather than chasing an unattainable dream?

Do we really want dictators and oppressive leaders to live forever, continuing to erode democracy and society as we know it? Do we want to live forever just to witness perpetual chaos? Or does the certainty of human mortality give us hope that change will eventually come?

I’m at peace with mortality—and that gives me hope.

  1. “Human Enhancement.” The Economist, March 22, 2025, pp. 15-17. ↩︎
  2. Ditto ↩︎
  3. Ditto ↩︎
  4. “The Right and Russia.” The Economist, March 22, 2025, pp. 19-20. ↩︎

73 thoughts on “Chasing Immortality: A Philosophical and Political Reflection”

  1. Great food for thought, powerfully evoked with lots of interaction here, Edward! I love it! I’m good with my basic 12 vitamins a day, thank you very much. Oh man 100 could chock a horse. I’m with you here. Let’s use our faculties to enjoy our life give what we can and stand for what’s write, embrace each other in loving kindness, laugh, cry and call it a day! 💕

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    1. Absolutely insane—taking 100 pills a day, plus he eats pretty much the same thing every day, along with a lot of other medical procedures every week. I was watching the documentary and thinking, “What a sad life.” Yes to loving-kindness, to laughing, crying—and we can definitely call it a day after that. 🙏🏼

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      1. I’m constantly saying “shoot me if i get like that” to my kids but i should just say , put me done in as human a way as possible so I don’t choke ( correct spelling) on my words and just stand for what’s “right” not write! Ya think I need an editor!!!’
        👀😜🙏💕
        Keep laughing my friend 😭

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        1. 🤣 You know, our brains are very powerful—and when we read, even if there’s a misspelled word, we still read it the right way. I read that once, and I believe it’s true. You’re always right, my friend. 🫶🏼

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  2. Very interesting post, Ed. I am all for mortality. Of course, I didn’t think us humans had any say in the matter. Thought God was sovereign. My thought process. If the leaders of immortality are like the present ones, give me mortality. I’ll make the best of the time He gave me.

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  4. make the most of the time we have—loving our families, supporting our communities, working toward peace, and defending human rights and freedoms.—

    It is a far more worthy cause than the pursuit of immortality. We are mortal for a reason. I remember watching Altered Carbon and realizing that immortality can never be allowed to happen
    .or even longevity. Mankind will always choose the dark side, it seems.

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  5. “I’m starting to think that we should accept our mortality and make the most of the time we have.” Maybe I’m weird, but immortality has always seemed an odd goal to me. Maybe I read too many of the Marcus Aurelius stoics like you — here, thinking of Seneca, for whom it was obvious that the goal was not to some how trick death and gain immortality but to live life fully while you’re here, appreciating it’s limits as well as its beauty. But it seems lots of people (your esteemed readers excepted 🙂 ) are not on board with us per this one.

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    1. You’re definitely not weird. It’s an odd goal to have. Since the beginning of civilization, some people have always searched for ways to reach immortality, but I really don’t see the practicality of it. Just the thought of living hundreds of years, working in perpetuity, and sustaining a life that will never end is exhausting. Some of these people just need to learn to let go and enjoy the time they have on Earth.

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  6. I agree Edward. I feel this quest for immortality is just another way the uber-privileged rub their wealth in the faces of the masses. Instead of living longer, the average person would be better off taking steps to close the gap between their lifespan and their healthspan. These multi-billionaires could make a meaningful contribution to that cause, but that would benefit others—something they’re clearly not interested in doing.

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  7. Fascinating post, Edward! I read an interesting book by Dr. Peter Attia who is a longevity expert. His goal was to extend our healthspan – the time we can do the things we want. That, along with the things you propose, seems like the healthy approach instead of focusing on lifespan.

    The Buddhists believe that focusing on our mortality helps us to appreciate each and every day. Seems right to me!

    Thanks for this thoughtful and thought-provoking post!

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  8. As a registered nurse, I’ve seen so many advances in medicine that promise to extend human life, but the unintended consequences have been drug-resistant organisms that spawn more virulent diseases, chronic illness and increased suffering, more expensive healthcare, corporate control over doctors, nurses, and healthcare, fewer choices in healthcare, and pharmaceutical companies seeking to make people dependent on their drugs and services. No organism was designed to live forever on planet earth. It goes against nature. In reality, humans appear to be getting weaker and sicker with each new generation.

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    1. Dawn, you just touched on a very important point—the unintended consequences of all these advances. You’re spot on, and we can see examples of that every day, especially in the corporate control over the entire system. That’s what concerns me the most. Your last comment reminded me of WALL-E and all the humans on the spaceship who are obese because technology supports every aspect of their lives to the point that they don’t even have to walk anywhere.

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  9. A man who seeks immortality is a dangerous man. I’m with Albert Einstein: “Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.”

    Another thought-provoking and thorough post, Edward.

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  10. Interesting post, Edward. As others have mentioned, not sure if it’s more to do with fear of death or the desire to improve humanity. And unless everyone lives forever, watching friends die over and over (“Age of Adeline”) would be horrific. And if everyone DID live forever, we’d all soon be standing in each other’s shoulders on every square foot of earth.

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    1. Thank you, Darryl. My opinion is that it’s more about the fear of death, and in the case of rich people, protecting their financial legacy. I doubt they are pushing all this to improve humanity, since many of the people involved in these projects are not the best human beings, but I could be wrong.

      Yes, there are a few people commenting about running out of space. Maybe that’s the reason some of them are exploring other planets.

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  11. That is a really interesting post. I saved it this morning, when nice weather and gardening called to read properly later, like now when it’s raining. The most obvious practical factor is there is not enough room for everyone to live forever. Or the thought of the richest and worst people being the only ones to achieve immortality is horrendous. Most of us would want a long life to be a healthy one, but disabled people living good lives would disagree.

    A friend with a mother who lived into her hundreds had said back when she was in he nineties that her mother was just fed up and had really had enough.

    Bryan Johnson’s life sounds awful. Anyone with loads of money could best spend it improving the lot of children who are sick or poor.

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    1. Thank you very much for your comments. Lack of space, absolutely, and more people alive to destroy our planet—terrible. The comment about the friend with a mother resonates, and I can’t even begin to imagine that.

      Regarding Bryan Johnson, yes, I watched the documentary, and that is not a way to live. He would have a bigger impact if he used those $2 million a year on sick and poor children.

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  13. While our human existence is mortal, who we truly are is eternal. On our twisted perception given by our lowered states of consciousness, we forgot that and started to be identified with the body and its mortal condition. From there, fears and the desire to go beyond it arose! And these are the worst drivers to find the solution to something that, ultimately, is not even a problem. We are forever; our bodies are not—as all things in physical reality! Though I believe we could have far longer human lifespans, the prevailing impermanence of matter tells us bodies cannot remain. And that’s ok—we’ll change our bodily custom for a new one and relive anew with renovated vitality. It’s interesting to see that those who are deeply attached to their material riches and their social power are the ones looking actively to perpetuate them. Not always for the best reasons, as you mentioned so well… In these cases, mortality (of our humanness) is actually a blessing for all! Loved your last line: “I’m at peace with mortality—and that gives me hope.” Resonating deeply with that peace! Thank you for this thought-provoking and profound post, Edward! Greatly appreciated! Light and blessings your way, my friend 🙏✨ have a peaceful day ☮

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    1. Thank you, Susana. There is so much good in your comment. I agree with you completely, and two things caught my attention: “finding a solution to something that, ultimately, is not even a problem,” and that they are “deeply attached to their material riches and their social power.” You are absolutely correct, my friend, and that is why our society is in such a degraded state. I truly appreciate your presence here, and you always give me more food for thought. 🙏🏼

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  14. An interesting commentary, Edward. Wealthy people have always attempted to live longer. As a witness to the lives of elderly people in their late 80s, 90s and even over 100, I do not understand this desire. If your twenties and thirties could be extended, then yes, it is worthwhile, but extending life and just getting older and deteriorating more doesn’t make sense to me. Old people live with a lot of pain – a lot! WRT the ethical question of living long, from a political leadership POV, my thoughts are that the terms of politicians are to short. They come in for a few years and then disappear. So, all they think about during that short time is staying in power and enjoying its fruits. They don’t take accountability for the messes they make. Those become the next persons problem. If people who don’t believe in climate change are going to live much longer, maybe they would care more about it. If you won’t live to reap the rewards of your bad decisions, you don’t care. Just my thoughts on this.

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    1. Great points, and I’m with you… Extending life, getting older, and dealing with more pain? No, thank you. I’m almost 52, and it seems that every day, a new pain pops up—just terrible.

      Your comment about climate change is excellent. If they don’t accept the fact that climate change is affecting the planet, and the planet reaches the end of its life, then all this push to extend life and become immortal is just rubbish since they won’t have a planet to live on.

      Well, maybe that’s one of the reasons some of them are exploring other planets—so they can move elsewhere.

      Thank you for reading and for your great comments, Robbie.

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  16. I’ll quote a classic source, the movie Highlander where the swordsman is immortal. The problem is your loved ones keep dying and you live on. I suppose the loved ones could be part of the special program extending life? In any case, I don’t think eternal life on earth is a good way to live. As for technology in people’s brains, that would be too easy to use as a weapon.

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    1. Great quote. You just touched on a major area of concern—the weaponization of this technology, especially with Elon leading the effort. I can see all kinds of problems with him trying to control people. He failed to change the vote with his money in Wisconsin this week, but can you imagine if his technology advances and more people decide to place a chip in their brains? Very dangerous, for sure.

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  17. This is a thought-provoking exploration of the pursuit of immortality and its ethical implications. Your analysis raises important questions—are we striving for eternal life at the expense of humanity’s greater needs? The contrast between technological advancements and global struggles is striking, making a strong case for embracing mortality and focusing on meaningful contributions while we’re here. It’s refreshing to see a perspective that values purpose over endless existence. Well written!👍🎉

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  18. Hola, Edward. En primer lugar admiro tu escritura. Perfecta. Simplemente perfecta. Desde el punto de vista escrito y la reflexión es muy profunda. Tomo apunte del documental. Siempre, de todos los colegas blogueros, me anoto libros, pelis y más. Soy otra más que coincide contigo en la reflexión. A mí una de las grandes bellezas de la vida me parece saber que tiene un fin. Que dejamos espacio a lo nuevo, a otros. Pero eso también forma parte de un no narcisismo que es el mal de hoy en día, sobre todo de figuras como las que mencionas. Egocéntricos, archimillonarios y ocupando espacio en el planeta porque son el ejemplo de egoísmo y derroche, de falta de inteligencia emocional, porque de tenerla, al igual que verdadera humanidad, sabrían que hay un mundo por el cual trabajar en el presente antes de sueños de inmortalidad. En fin, se me hizo muy largo. Gracias por esta linda entrada.

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    1. Muchísimas gracias, Sheila. Has mencionado unos detalles muy importantes, como el narcisismo, el egoísmo y la falta de inteligencia emocional, que están afectando inmensamente a nuestra sociedad y que, en mi opinión, son la raíz de todos los males. Te agradezco mucho tus comentarios, y qué bueno escuchar de ti.

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  20. “Millions of people long for eternity who don’t know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday.” – I ran across this quote in my classic literature travels, or something very close to it. I wish I could remember who said it.

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  21. This subject deserves more attention than I can give you right now, Edward, but it’s intriguing and hopefully I will get back to you! My initial thoughts are that I absolutely agree with you, and I’m surprised that there are some people who think that they will somehow be able to buy immortality.

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    1. You’re so right about that, Ana. I would add those who believe they have something to prove in order to protect their financial legacy. Apparently, that’s also a strong motivator to extend their lives.

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      1. At the bottom line, life seeks infinitely to know itself. All strivings must find a way to motivation within it, and in that pure context this striving for longevity is no different. As with all third dimensional strivings it will create or attract realities equal and opposite right along with its intended goals.

        On this lower daily level we seek healthy balance ~ and at this time of, as I continue to see it, the ‘separation of worlds,’ that balance is necessarily very different than will exist in practice or even potential on either the higher or the lower resulting world.

        For my present larger purposes, I’ve had to opt out of every kind of technology possible, right down to and including (presently carrier wave loaded) audio and video entertainment. My balance has included much larger shares than normal among moderns of contemplation in all its forms, and of sensory exposure to nature and to the earth around us. The strains of accommodating normal aging are added to infinitely by physical demands, deliberate torment, constant fear, and the excruciatingly slow pace of van life (which you can read about by failed experimenters in it all over the Web) ~ but by these methods I’ve survived stimuli which I’ve seen make grown men cry publicly like babies.

        On the future lower world, this balance will no longer exist in the realm of possibility.

        On the higher, almost all of its structures and inconveniences can be shed for light filled lack of necessity.

        A poetic vision …

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          1. Great observation about aging! Even if nothing were changing in the world around us (and when has that ever been true?) the balances we would find would appropriately vary according to our age, energy and infirmity (and wisdom) 😆

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  23. I also agree with you 100% about accepting mortality, Edward, and I always have. To be honest, I don’t understand people who want to live forever. Scary how these completely objectionable people are so keen to stay around bothering us forever! I don’t plan to stick around to have to put up with them!! 😂

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  24. Isn’t Bryan Johnson the guy who has even taken blood transfusions from his son? If so, I watched a documentary or long YouTube about him several months ago. I wonder if some people really want to live forever or they just fear death.
    As for the brain chip, I have already had that convo with our 13 year old granddaughter because we have a history of Alzheimer’s in our family.
    It’s a complex topic for sure!

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    1. That’s the one. It’s definitely a complex issue, and some people might have a fear of death. I know a couple of men who are concerned about their legacy and do not want to die before accomplishing their plans. Thank you for reading and commenting, Sheila.

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  25. I completely agree with your analysis and conclusions Edward. In fact, I recently saw a YT video by a woman who was boldly and bravely accepting her cancer as acknowledgement of the cycles of birth and death. No resisting or wanting to live longer, but celebrating her life.

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  26. As far as I’m concerned, people pouring billions of dollars on chasing immortality are on a fool’s errand.

    “Should the vast wealth invested in the pursuit of immortality instead be directed toward improving lives—feeding the hungry, providing shelter, creating jobs, providing affordable healthcare services?” My answer is a resounding yes!!

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    1. I know, and it says a lot about those individuals. Yes, that’s my answer as well. There is so much that millionaires and billionaires can do to address social issues instead of wasting money on “immortality,” space tourism, sports collectible cards, etc.

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  27. Personally, I have no desire to be immortal. I fear the essence of life lives on in some form, but I sincerely hope that if it does, the universe has something more suitable planned for us. Something beyond our finite comprehension perhaps.

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