This chapter discusses the idea of not living forever and explores the concept of 'methusillarity' coined in Silicon Valley, which refers to the desire for immortality. It argues that striving for eternal life is fatuous and emphasizes the value of living a finite life and leaving behind meaningful memories and experiences.
How do we prepare for a future that is unpredictable? That's the question at the heart of Margaret Heffernan's new book, Uncharted: How to Navigate the Future. Heffernan is a professor at the University of Bath, but she is also a serial entrepreneur, a former CEO, and the author of five books on leadership, innovation, and the challenge of unleashing talent and creativity in large organizations. In this wide-ranging conversation with EconTalk host Russ Roberts, Heffernan discusses the central thesis of her book: The future may be unpredictable, but that doesn't mean you can't prepare for it. And smart organizations and people can learn how to do it.