Stranded Technologies Podcast

Two years ago, policymakers floated a global AI pause, some even suggested bombing data centers to stop progress. Today, the U.S. is pulling back from the brink.Adam Thierer, author of Permissionless Innovation and Evasive Entrepreneurs, joins Niklas to unpack:* How the “war on computation” began and the moment the tide turned* Why sectors “born free” explode with innovation, while “born in captivity” stay stuck* The explosion of 1,000+ AI-related bills across U.S. states and the risk of a regulatory maze* The strange alliance between the far left and far right to slow progress* Why AI could be the ultimate technology of freedom or a tool for repression* Why compared to 2 years ago there are reasons to be more optimistic now.If you’re building in AI, biotech, or any frontier space, this is your field guide to defending the right to build.More about Adam’s work:* Adam’s X* Medium* Amazon BooksExplore Infinita City:* Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times* Visit Infinita City* Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram* Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

In this episode, Michael Levin, Director of the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts, breaks down how his lab is rethinking regeneration, cancer, and aging, not through genetics, but through bioelectricity as the software of life.From pioneering living robots made from frog skin cells to repairing birth defects and regenerating limbs, Levin’s work shows how tissues act as intelligent agents and how future medicine will be about communicating goals to cells, not micromanaging their chemistry.We cover:* Why Levin believes the “anatomical compiler” is the endgame: designing an organ or organism on a computer and compiling it into bioelectric instructions for cells.* How cancer emerges as a breakdown of collective memory and why reconnecting cells electrically can normalize tumors without killing them.* Proof-of-concept experiments that restore normal brains in tadpoles with birth defect mutations, regenerate frog legs, and even grow functioning eyes in new locations.* The creation of Anthrobots, synthetic multicellular organisms built from adult human cells that can repair neural damage.* Why development and regeneration show that genomes don’t dictate fixed outcomes bioelectric memories do.* The philosophical implications: recognizing agency and intelligence at every level of biology.If you’re building in biotech, longevity, or frontier medicine, this is a field guide to rewriting the software of life and a preview of the systems that could make aging, cancer, and trauma solvable problems.More about Michael Levin’s work:* Dr. Michael Levin's X* Dr. Michael Levin WebsiteExplore Infinita City:* Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times* Visit Infinita City* Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram* Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Sondre Rasch, founder and CEO of SafetyWing and former Norwegian policy advisor, dives into the world of digital nomadism and insurance innovation. He shares how SafetyWing creates global health solutions for travelers while navigating complex regulations. From launching tailored insurance products to enhancing user experiences in cross-border healthcare, Sondre highlights entrepreneurial challenges and the evolving landscape of insurance. He discusses the Nomad Citizen program and the vision of building a social safety net for nomads, turning regulatory complexity into opportunity.

John Martin Fischer is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at UC Riverside and a leading thinker on death, free will, and immortality. He joins Niklas to explore:* Why most philosophers argue against immortality and why he disagrees* The logic behind boredom, meaning, and the “human shape” of life* How AI and free will intersect and what it means for future minds* Ethical blind spots in Silicon Valley’s pursuit of radical life extensionStranded Technologies Podcast is the channel for the Infinita community, dedicated to accelerating longevity biotech and building the future of innovation-friendly cities.More about GUEST'S work:* John Martin Fischer WebsiteExplore Infinita City:* Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times* Visit Infinita City* Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram* Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Jose Luis Ricón Fernández de la Puente is widely known for his influential blog “Nintil” and in his current role as Head of Theory at Retro Biosciences, a leading company in the longevity biotech space funded with $180m by Sam Altman. Niklas and Jose Luis dive into:* Why the current scientific institutions often fail to deliver on its promises* The most promising pathways and bottlenecks in longevity biotech* Lessons from libertarianism and economics for building better scientific institutions* The role of network cities, special jurisdictions, and parallel systemsStranded Technologies Podcast is the channel for the Infinita community, dedicated to accelerating longevity biotech and building the future of innovation-friendly cities.More about GUEST'S work:* Retro.bio* Nintil This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Cush is the founder of Odisea Labs, an accelerator for Latin American frontier tech (crypto, AI). Cush is inspired by effective accelerationism (e/acc) and consequently coined the memes “latam/acc” and “Latin American Dynamism” in reference to their US-based counterpart.In this episode, we learn all about why Latam is awesome for tech. Financial innovation and crypto have a fertile ground here and are widely adopted due the lack of banking access for large populations, regulatory capture and government mismanagement.Odisea Labs has been a major partner to the past March Startup Residency Month, and is now announcing another partnership with Infinita City for the following:Crypto Cities Theme MonthThis is a one-month program for builders to deploy crypto-native projects, not just online, but in a functioning city with enabling legislation, crypto taxes, and a supportive community.🗓️ | June 1 - 30, 2025📍 | Próspera Zone, Roatan (Honduras)➡️ | Signup: infinita.city/crypto-cities This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Jack Scannell is a consultant, researcher, and entrepreneur. Jack is one of the world’s leading authorities on pharmaceutical R&D productivity. He co-authored the influential 2012 paper in Nature Reviews Drug Discovery that introduced “Eroom’s Law,” a concept highlighting how drug discovery has become slower and more expensive over time—essentially the opposite of Moore’s Law. Scannell has advised major pharmaceutical firms and is a noted commentator on strategies to improve innovation efficiency in the life sciences. He is currently building Ethereos.Explore Infinita City:* Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times* Visit Infinita City* Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram* Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Jean-Philippe (JP) Vergne is an Associate Professor of Strategy at Western University’s Ivey Business School, renowned for his research on organizations operating at the fringes of legality—particularly pirates. Along with Rodolphe Durand, he co-authored The Pirate Organization: Lessons from the Fringes of Capitalism, which explores how historical piracy and other unconventional ventures can shed light on modern forms of competition, regulation, and innovation. JP Vergne’s work extends to topics such as crypto governance, the historical development of organizations, and the evolution of capitalism.Book Reference: The Pirate Organization: Lessons from the Fringes of CapitalismExplore Infinita City:* Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times* Visit Infinita City* Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram* Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Ivan Morgunov is an experienced entrepreneur driven by the goal of stopping aging. He founded Longaevus Technologies, a venture studio in the field of longevity, and Unlimited Bio—one of the two companies that administer genetic therapies in Prospera Dr. Anna Vakhrusheva has over a decade of experience in advancing vaccines and gene therapies. She led the development of Russia’s first recombinant SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Betuvax JSC), driving it from R&D to clinical trials within two years. As a co-founder of Unlimited Bio, she spearheads genetic therapy research, translating cutting-edge science into real-world longevity solutions.In this episode, Anna & Ivan describe their journey to start a biotech company in Prospera, their novel thesis on why business model innovation matters to solve aging, the opportunity of “cocktail therapies”, regulatory fast-track options and challenges in a new jurisdiction.Explore Infinita City:* Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times* Visit Infinita City* Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram* Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com

Nathan Cheng is a community builder, educator, and investor in the longevity biotech field. He has been closely involved with key initiatives such as the Longevity Biotech Fellowship (LBF), Healthspan Capital, and Longevity List, working to solve the problem of aging and death.In this conversation, Nathan Cheng discusses his journey into the longevity biotech field, exploring the quest for an indefinite lifespan and the various strategies to combat aging. He shares insights on community building, the importance of understanding aging, and the potential of biotechnology in extending life. The conversation also delves into the technical roadmap for solving aging, replacement strategies, and the role of cryonics as a last resort. In this conversation, Nathan Chang and Niklas Anzinger discuss the importance of mission-driven research in the field of longevity, emphasizing the need for focused efforts to tackle aging and death. They explore the role of the Longevity Biotech Fellowship in mobilizing talent and fostering collaboration among diverse professionals. The discussion also touches on effective communication strategies for the longevity mission, the catalysts for progress in the field, and the opportunities for newcomers to enter the longevity space. Finally, they introduce the Vitalism Foundation, which aims to unify efforts in the longevity movement under a shared ideology.Get involved & More about Nathan's work:* Longevity Biotech Fellowship (10% off for Infinitians)* Vitalist Bay (10% off for Infinitians)* Vitalism FoundationExplore Infinita City:* Explore the Archive: The Infinita City Times* Visit Infinita City* Join the Builders’ Hub on Telegram* Follow Infinita City on X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.infinitacitytimes.com