Scientists making progress in slowing ageing process of cells. Impatient consumers force ad industry to adapt. Story behind famous 200-year-old Christmas poem.
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Scientific discoveries are exploring methods to extend human lifespan by slowing down the aging process, raising questions about the implications for population growth and governance.
Major social media platforms are adapting to government legislation by offering ad-free versions and exploring new advertising avenues.
Deep dives
The Quest for an Elixir of Life
Recent scientific discoveries suggest the possibility of extending human lifespan. The key is to slow down the physiological process of aging, which is responsible for the onset of diseases associated with old age. By manipulating this process, researchers hope to not only extend lifespan but also healthy lifespan. Potential methods being explored include calorie restriction mimicking, molecules that kill aging cells, and even de-aging cells. However, the implications of such interventions raise questions about population growth, labor markets, and political governance in a society where people can potentially live indefinitely.
The Rise of Ad-Free Online Services
Major social media platforms such as Meta (formerly Facebook), Twitter, TikTok, and Snapchat are offering ad-free versions of their services for a subscription fee. This shift is partly in response to government legislation that provides users with the option to opt out of targeted ads. Additionally, tech platforms like Apple and Google are making it harder for behavioral ads to be effective by allowing users to limit ad tracking. Advertisers are now exploring new avenues to reach consumers, such as out-of-home media, sponsorships, and in-app advertising.
The Legacy of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
'Twas the Night Before Christmas' is a poem published 200 years ago that has had a profound influence on modern Christmas traditions. Written by Clement Clarke Moore, the poem transformed Christmas from a rowdy and public celebration into a more domestic and child-friendly holiday. It shifted the focus from the streets to the home, making gift-giving a central aspect of the festivities. Through its widespread publication and adaptation, the poem helped redefine Christmas as a time for children, presents, and family. The continued popularity of the poem is evident in its 200th anniversary celebrations, with translations into multiple languages and recognition by mayors and First Ladies.
Scientists are making considerable progress in the race to slow the ageing process of our cells, and in turn, our bodies. But what would living for longer actually mean for the world? How government legislation and impatient consumers are forcing the advertising industry to adapt (13:19). And, the story behind a famous, 200-year-old Christmas poem (21:29).
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