Laura Deming — On Pausing Biological Time & Preserving the Continuous Self
May 20, 2025
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Laura Deming, a visionary technologist and venture capitalist, is on a mission to revolutionize longevity. She discusses the philosophical implications of personal identity in the context of anti-aging and cryopreservation. Deming explores what a ‘humane transhumanism’ could look like and highlights the power of scientific awe in sparking innovation. Insights into mentorship in science showcase its impact on aspiring researchers. Lastly, she dives deep into the potential of reversible cryopreservation as a groundbreaking solution for aging and terminal illnesses.
The discussion delves into personal identity, challenging conventional views with Derek Parfit's bundle theory that emphasizes experiences over a singular self.
Laura Deming advocates for a more humane transhumanism focused on community and empathy, countering the current individualistic narratives prevalent in the field.
The potential of cryopreservation is explored as a revolutionary solution for longevity, emphasizing its technical urgency and the need for societal understanding.
Deep dives
Philosophical Implications of Longevity
The discussion centers on the notion of personal identity and its relation to longevity, particularly through the lens of different philosophical theories such as Derek Parfit's bundle theory. This theory challenges the traditional ego-centric view, suggesting that individuals are essentially a collection of experiences, rather than a singular self. This prompts questions about what aspects of one's identity should be preserved over time and underscores the subjective nature of valuing longevity. Ultimately, it raises deeper inquiries into what it means to 'survive' and how these beliefs influence societal perspectives on longevity.
Emotional Perspectives on Longevity
Laura Deming reflects on how her relationship with the concept of longevity has evolved over the years, initially fueled by fierce determination to address aging as a social issue. However, she acknowledges the emotional weight and existential discomfort that can accompany constant contemplation of mortality. Over time, she has learned to appreciate the value of comfort and acceptance in navigating life's inevitable challenges, suggesting that not everyone is equipped to wrestle with such existential topics. This highlights the complexity of balancing the urgency of longevity work with the emotional well-being of individuals.
Transhumanism and Its Critiques
The conversation shifts to the critique of existing transhumanist ideologies, which often emphasize power and survival rather than communal or empathetic values. Deming advocates for a more humane approach to transhumanism that prioritizes human connection and shared experiences over individualistic pursuits of power. She argues that current transhumanist narratives lack a vision of how change might occur in ways that are genuinely beneficial for society as a whole. This leads to a discussion on the need for new frameworks within transhumanism that value the emotional aspects of human experience.
Societal Implications of Extended Lifespans
Anticipating advancements in longevity science, insights are provided into how vastly extended lifespans could alter societal dynamics. Concerns arise about potential generational stagnation, as individuals would retain their formative experiences and worldviews for much longer, potentially stifling innovation. However, there's also speculation that longer lifespans could foster collaboration and social responsibility if individuals begin to prioritize pro-social behavior in a world where they have more time to interact. This duality illustrates the unpredictable consequences of increased longevity on societal evolution.
Cryopreservation's Unique Challenges and Opportunities
Cryopreservation is presented as a fascinating but underexplored domain in longevity research, perceived as both a significant challenge and a potential game-changing solution for preserving life until medical advancements can be applied. Deming articulates how successful reversible cryopreservation could provide an unprecedented avenue to afford individuals more time to access emerging medical therapies. She emphasizes the technical tractability and urgency of the problem, suggesting that a solution to cryopreservation could lead to a revolution in emergency care and treatment access. Nevertheless, societal resistance and discomfort surrounding the concept present notable hurdles that require empathetic public communication and understanding.
Laura Deming is a technologist and venture capitalist focused on anti-ageing and life extension. At 17, she founded The Longevity Fund (followed by age1), the first VC firm dedicated to longevity biotech, after being selected in the initial cohort of Thiel fellows (2011). Today she is also CEO and co-founder of Cradle, a startup pursuing human whole-body reversible cryopreservation.
I speak with Laura at Cradle’s San Francisco office. We start with the philosophical question of personal identity, and ask a deceptively simple question: what, exactly, do we want to preserve? From there we explore what a “more humane transhumanism” might look like, the game-theory of 200-year lives, scientific awe as a research tool, embodied thought-experiments to see inside the cell, how the FDA could shave years off longevity-drug timelines, the anti-memetic qualities of reversible cryopreservation, and why it might be the most leveraged problem in longevity.
