Unexplainable A 150-year-old human
Aug 11, 2021
Ferris Jaber, a contributing writer for The New York Times, dives into the fascinating world of human longevity. He discusses a billion-dollar wager on whether anyone alive today could reach 150. The conversation touches on revolutionary research in aging, from regenerative capabilities found in species like the immortal jellyfish to the ethical implications of extended lifespans. Jaber questions whether a longer life is a blessing or a burden, exploring societal impacts and disparities that could arise from advances in longevity technology.
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The Bet
- Steve Ostads's quote about a 150-year-old person being alive today started a bet with Jay Olshansky.
- They each wagered $150, which has been doubled and is projected to be worth a billion dollars by 2150.
Lifespan Plateau?
- While life expectancy has increased, the maximum lifespan hasn't been surpassed since Jeanne Calment (122 years old).
- It's unclear whether lifespan is still increasing.
The Difficulty of Extending Lifespan
- Increasing life expectancy gets harder with each advancement.
- Steve and Jay disagree on the likelihood of reaching 150, comparing the difficulty to a "light year" versus a "universe" away.