How To Academy Podcast cover image

How To Academy Podcast

Neuroscientist Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston - How and Why We Should Abolish Death

Dec 17, 2024
Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, an Australian neuroscientist and science communicator, challenges our views on mortality and consciousness in this intriguing conversation. He discusses groundbreaking methods that could preserve human minds beyond death, sparking a debate on the ethics and implications of immortality. Ariel explores humanity's complex relationship with death and suggests a hopeful outlook for the future, emphasizing the importance of intergenerational connections and ethical considerations in advancing these technologies.
38:08

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston argues for redefining death by considering personal identity loss rather than traditional physiological markers as technology evolves.
  • Johnston emphasizes the moral obligation to overcome death and improve quality of life through responsible technological advancements for future generations.

Deep dives

The Fascination with Consciousness

Ariel Zeleznikov Johnston expresses a deep fascination with how the brain constructs our identities and experiences, leading him to specialize in neuroscience and consciousness studies. He highlights the complexity of subjective experiences, such as how we perceive colors or sounds, and engages in research to quantify these experiences through experimental methods. By comparing individual judgments about sensory perception, he aims to develop a formalized understanding of consciousness. This intersection of biological processes and philosophical questions forms the foundation of his work in neuroscience.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode