Longevity Escape Velocity

This idea suggests that the longer we live, the more advanced technology will become, potentially enabling us to extend our lives further. Johnson’s approach to longevity involves extensive measurement and assessment of the best evidence, followed by the implementation of a protocol. His goal is to align the functions of his 35 trillion cells to minimize aging.

Johnson refers to this concept as a potential return on life investment. If we can be around for the future of these technologies, our return on life investment could be five times, ten times, or even a hundred times. The goal is to be around, and it’s worth doing the hard work right now to dramatically slow your speed of aging.

Johnson’s approach to longevity is not universally agreed upon. He notes that you can have four anti-aging scientists read the same five papers and then ask them to design an anti-aging protocol, and you’ll get five different anti-aging protocols. There’s just no agreement, and there’s not a way of settling the agreement. That’s why Johnson has endeavored to do this. He does it and then shares his data. Despite the limitations of it being a single subject study (N=1), it’s better than none (N=0).

Health Management through Algorithms

Johnson discusses his unique approach to health management through algorithms, which he refers to as his “blueprint” system. This system is designed to take better care of his health than he can, particularly in the context of aging. Johnson’s blueprint does not express opinions about anything. Instead, it is a process that involves measurement, evidence, and protocol.

For instance, Johnson asked his team if it was possible for them to do a vegan protocol and be within the targets of the optimal clinical outcome ranges. The only exception is that he takes collagen peptides and is trying to find a vegan source for that. Johnson’s preference for veganism is not a necessity but a choice, driven by his belief that as a system becomes more intelligent, it should also become more compassionate.

Johnson’s approach to health management is not common. It combines caloric restriction, intense exercise, and veganism, all aimed at maximizing the slowing of aging. He acknowledges that they haven’t covered all the variations and encourages others to try different iterations and share their data to advance the field, even if it’s an end of one study.

Measurement and Assessment for Longevity

Johnson emphasizes the importance of measurement and assessment for longevity. He believes that he might be the most measured human in history, taking into account a variety of health markers. His approach involves measuring extensively, assessing the best evidence, and then implementing a protocol based on these findings.

Johnson’s measurements are not limited to typical health markers. He measures his tendons and ligaments specifically, and they have all dramatically improved. He uses ultrasound to measure his muscles, MRI for whole-body fat, and other markers that can map to optimal clinical outcome ranges. His goal is to align his 35 trillion cells to have less entropy, which he believes will slow down aging.

Johnson acknowledges that his approach is not universally agreed upon. The same data can lead different scientists to different conclusions. However, he believes that his approach of measurement, assessment, and protocol implementation is worth sharing, even if it’s a single subject study (N=1). He encourages others to try different iterations and share their data to advance the field.

Exercise Protocol

Johnson shares his exercise protocol which is an integral part of his health management strategy. He exercises for an hour each day, focusing on cardio, flexibility exercises, and strength training. His goal is to flex and stretch every muscle in his body, and he uses a variety of measurements to quantify his exercise protocol. These measurements include his VO2 max, flexibility, tendon and ligament strength, muscle size via ultrasound, and whole-body fat via MRI. All these markers map to optimal clinical outcome ranges.

Johnson’s exercise protocol is not just about physical fitness; it’s about aligning his 35 trillion cells to have less entropy, which he believes will slow down aging. He mentions that he’s never felt more robust in his life, even when he was 18 years old and an athlete in high school. He doesn’t have a single ache or pain in his body, has never been more flexible, and has never had better cardiovascular capacity.

Goal Alignment to Address Larger Issues 

Johnson emphasizes that the only problem we have to solve as a species is goal alignment. We have immense powers, and the challenge lies in figuring out how to cooperate, not just among humans, but also between humans and the planet, humans and AI, and trillions of agents of intelligence, whether they’re cells, bots, plants, or other entities.

Johnson believes that we have a gigantic tapestry of computational goal alignment, a problem of a size and scale that far exceeds anything we’re currently capable of. He hopes that as we evolve, we trend towards compassion because while humans are currently the dominant species on this planet, he doesn’t believe we’re the alpha anymore.

He also mentions that the system he’s developed, called “Blueprint,” can scale to anything, including climate change. The earth is the body, and you take millions of measurements, look at the evidence of what is a proper biosphere, apply a protocol, and repeat.

Existential Threats to Humanity, Finding Meaning and Spiritual Practices and The Future of Our Existence

The discussion on the existential threats to humanity underscores the urgency of addressing the imminent dangers that threaten our survival as a species. It emphasizes the need to leverage technology and scientific advancements to mitigate these threats and ensure our continued existence.

The conversation explores how technology can help us navigate our consciousness and find meaning in our lives. It suggests that as we gain more control over our physical and mental wellbeing through technology, we can free up space to engage in spiritual practices and explore the purpose of our existence.

Our future may be more unpredictable and extraordinary than we can currently comprehend. Johnson suggests that as we continue to develop and integrate technology into our lives, we are venturing into uncharted territory. This could lead to a future where we can engineer atoms, molecules, and organisms predictably, opening up a realm of possibilities for human existence.

These discussions collectively underscore the importance of embracing technology and scientific advancements to enhance our health, extend our lifespan, and explore the deeper questions of our existence. They highlight the potential of technology to transform not just our physical selves, but also our understanding of life and our place in the universe.