Peter Diamandis: How to Stay Young & Thrive in the Next 10 Years

The Pursuit of Longevity and the Promise of Exponential Technologies

Peter Diamandis, a visionary leader holding degrees from MIT and Harvard, has dedicated the last two decades to promoting the concept of an abundant future. This future, he believes, will be shaped by rapidly advancing exponential technologies capable of extending human lifespans.

As the founder of organizations such as the XPRIZE Foundation and Singularity University, Diamandis has forged strong relationships with prominent figures in the business world, notably including Elon Musk.

Optimism vs. Skepticism: A Divided View

Supporters of Diamandis’s forecasts point to data demonstrating technology’s positive impact on global living standards and its role in lifting billions out of poverty. They also actively engage with his published works.

However, critics contend that his techno-utopian vision fails to adequately address issues of growing inequality and systemic imbalances, particularly within the United States, where wealth distribution is heavily skewed towards the top 10% of households.

A Conversation on Abundance, Longevity, and Bryan Johnson

Diamandis remains a compelling figure in contemporary thought. Recently, he engaged in a discussion concerning abundance and longevity, including his perspective on Bryan Johnson’s efforts to reverse the aging process – a former colleague of his.

Diamandis, currently 63 years old, asserts that his biological age is 39.

The full conversation is available here; the following are excerpts, condensed for brevity.

“Longevity Escape Velocity”: Avoiding Preventable Decline

Recently, you posted on social media, stating that we are nearing “longevity escape velocity” and urging people to prioritize avoiding preventable causes of death. What prompted this statement?

We are experiencing a revolution in healthspan, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, computational power, sensors, single-cell sequencing, and cellular medicines. These converging technologies are providing unprecedented insights into the mechanisms of aging, enabling us to slow, halt, and potentially reverse the process.

The concept of longevity escape velocity suggests that for every year of life gained, science and medicine will extend lifespan by an increasing amount – currently estimated between a quarter and a third of a year. Eventually, this extension will exceed one year per year of life lived.

Pioneered by Aubrey de Grey and Ray Kurzweil, this idea is gaining traction, and current projections indicate we may reach longevity escape velocity within the next decade for those with sufficient resources and good health. It’s crucial to be prepared to benefit from these advancements.

Accessibility and the Cost of Longevity

Could you elaborate on what constitutes “reasonable means” in this context, given concerns about healthcare access and widening societal disparities?

Is longevity reserved solely for the affluent? While that is a valid concern, numerous impactful interventions are readily available at no cost. Diet is paramount; our bodies are not equipped to process the excessive sugar intake common today. Sugar, in current quantities, is demonstrably harmful.

Prioritizing seven to eight hours of quality sleep – encompassing both deep sleep and REM sleep – is also fundamental to preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, regular exercise is the single most effective pro-longevity activity one can undertake.

These practices require no financial investment. A positive mindset also plays a significant role; optimists tend to live 15% longer than pessimists. Therefore, the claim that longevity is exclusive to the wealthy is inaccurate; it’s accessible to those who prioritize it.

Layered Approaches to Extending Healthspan

Beyond these foundational elements…

A subsequent tier involves medications and supplements, which do entail financial expenditure. This is a gradual process of building a personalized regimen. Advanced diagnostic testing, ranging from $500 to $50,000, allows for early disease detection.

Epigenetic Reprogramming: The Future of Rejuvenation

A particularly promising area of research is epigenetic reprogramming. Our genome, comprised of approximately 6.4 billion letters inherited from our parents, remains constant throughout life. However, gene expression – which genes are activated or deactivated – changes with age.

Epigenetic reprogramming aims to restore a more youthful gene expression profile. Investment in this field is rapidly increasing, with the expectation that, initially, billionaires will bear the risks of early, unproven therapies. However, as the technology matures, it will become more affordable and accessible.

The XPRIZE Foundation and the Pursuit of Breakthroughs

Is there a specific company you’ve invested in that embodies your approach to longevity?

Over the past 30 years, the XPRIZE Foundation has launched prizes totaling $600 million, stimulating $10 billion in research and development. A year and a half ago, we secured $157 million to launch the Healthspan XPRIZE, offering $111 million in prize money.

The challenge requires teams to demonstrate the ability to reverse functional aging in cognition, immunity, and muscle function in individuals aged 60 to 80. Successful therapies must demonstrably restore these functions to levels comparable to those of individuals 20 years younger.

Currently, over 620 teams are participating, with $10 million awarded to the top 40 in May of this year. The final award will be presented in 2030.

Diamandis vs. Johnson: Different Paths to Longevity

How does your approach to longevity differ from Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint initiative?

I’ve known Bryan for a decade, having introduced him to the longevity field after his sale of Braintree. He invested in and served on the board of Human Longevity, a company I co-founded. We subsequently parted ways.

Bryan is engaged in n-of-one experimentation – personalized trials on himself. I support his pioneering efforts, but I don’t necessarily share his inclination to publicly discuss personal details. My strategy, through the XPRIZE Foundation, involves a large-scale, global competition evaluating hundreds of diverse approaches.

This competition emphasizes rigorous scientific measurement and statistical validation, requiring teams to demonstrate their efficacy across a sufficiently large and representative population.

For a more comprehensive discussion, you can listen to the full conversation with Peter Diamandis, including his insights on his relationship with Elon Musk, his health scanning venture with Tony Robbins, and his vision for a post-capitalist society where monetary value diminishes.