Silicon Valley Wants to ‘Cure’ Aging… What If They Do?
Worst case is we live, right?
I am a huge fan of reading. So much so that I’m beginning to think it’s having a negative impact on my social life, but we’ll save that for another time… The point is that I read a LOT. And for the past seven years, I’ve been stuck on one genre: Science Fiction. From space operas and apocalyptic disasters, to robot revolts and galaxy-spanning quests — I’m down for it all.
The best sci fi authors can not only see how innovation might progress, but how humanity might evolve as a result. For a genre so heavily focused on science and technology, it’s surprisingly human.
So I get really excited when I see a headline like Meet Altos Labs, Silicon Valley’s Latest Wild Bet on Living Forever. It makes me feel like I’m living in the future. The rate of scientific advancement over the past 50 years has been increasingly mind boggling and it’s impossible to keep up with all the discoveries. First CRISPR, then private space travel, now immortality? It’s insane. Completely terrifying. And I love it.
I am by no means a science fiction writer (yet). Still, I couldn’t help but imagine what might happen if Jeff Bezos is actually successful. So, let’s extrapolate a little. What would humanity look like if the Silicon Valley giants, or someone else, figured out how to reverse aging?
Scenario One
An age-reversal procedure is developed, but it’s a lengthy and expensive process requiring ongoing treatments. Insurance companies label the treatments as ‘elective’ and they become a luxury most can’t afford, especially on a recurring basis. Social security is altered to account for those receiving age-reversal, but other than that, it all seems like hype.
The wealthy, of course, dive right in. Anti-aging research becomes the most heavily funded sector across industries, and the companies offering it become the wealthiest. Stock prices soar and startups pop up everywhere. All the top minds in genetics and cell reprogramming are scooped up for ridiculous salaries.
The majority of us, however, are not so wealthy and we’re still a bit skeptical. We follow headlines on the news, but we go about our daily lives. ‘I’ve been working for 60 years,’ I can hear my mom saying. ‘Why would I want to spend all my money on this, just to have another 30 years of working?’
Fast forward 50 years and most of us are retired. Hopefully, living our best lives in Florida, getting our curls set and beards trimmed before we hobble our walkers over to the Friday night, 90’s themed dance party. But then we catch a glimpse of the 5:30 news and Jeff Bezos is still somehow in his prime. He’s accumulated over a quarter of the world’s wealth and the majority of world leaders are dependent on his age-reversal treatments.
200 years later and we’re in a dystopian society where the rich live forever and the average lifespan of everyone else is rapidly declining. H.G. Wells shakes his head sadly from beyond as humanity trajects toward the haunting future he depicted in The Time Machine.
Scenario 2!
An age-reversal procedure is developed and the world collaborates in an effort to increase the efficiency of treatments and provide global accessibility. Once large-scale distribution is feasible, treatments are offered to all who’d like them and the average human lifespan extends to 200 and counting.
The population increases rapidly over the first century, but as people become more comfortable with their extended lifetimes — when 150 becomes the new 60 — they begin waiting longer to have children. The population spike evens out, but the rate of growth still outpaces any reasonable projection made in the past.
As the earth gets increasingly crowded and resources begin to dwindle, all eyes turn to space travel. Both private companies and government projects receive billions in eager funding. Having succeeded in the previous global collaboration, astrophysicists and engineering teams worldwide work together for the good and growth of humanity.
Fast forward 200 years and the population on Mars is over a half a million. We’ve discovered new methods of terraforming and scouting missions have already located four exoplanets capable of sustaining human societies. With lives extending over half a century, humanity branches out into the stars (and maybe, dare I say it… we meet some neighbors).
Scenario 3
The last and only other possible scenario…
Jeff Bezos is exiled from exclusive social circles of the rich and famous. It’s barely perceptible at first, but then the rumors start to gain momentum. Elon Musk taunts Bezos on Twitter for his silly dreams of cheating death. DiCaprio makes a sly comment at an art gala. Bill Gates shrugs him off at a charity event. The media buzzes with theories, but questions from reporters are brushed off. ‘His head has just gotten too big for his own good,’ the celebs say. But eventually, someone breaks the story. And the secret gets out.
Age reversal has been possible for decades. Only a very short and elite list of people knew about the treatment. The facilities claim it was experimental — an exclusive trial that hadn’t been approved yet by the FDA. As it turns out, the treatment had never been brought before the FDA. It was developed completely in secrecy and, with his blatant public investment, Jeff Bezos has ruined it all.
A major public outcry ensues. All those suspected of involvement in the secret treatments are blasted for their immoral (and immortal) actions. Amazon stock prices plummet as documentaries trend across streaming services. Your phone starts blowing up with texts from friends saying, “See, I told you! I knew JLo hadn’t aged a day since 35!”
All of the above are fictitious scenarios and, in no way, should be taken as fact (yet).
Thank you for reading!