After selling his company for $800 million, Bryan Johnson went on a quest: Can a human live forever? For several years now, Johnson has spent millions of dollars annually on a slew of health regimens, measuring systems, and algorithmically fine-tuned routines, all in pursuit of extending his life.
He infused himself with plasma from his son. He takes 60 supplements a day. Everything he does is exactly timed and aimed at a very particular piece of his health. When you look at his body, there’s no doubt Johnson is healthier than he was. He’s lost more than a few kilograms, and the belly has given way to neatly defined muscles. But what about his face?
In 2024, Johnson posted a picture comparison to his 2023 and 2018 selves. Sure, his cheeks have gotten thinner, but his hair has also changed color. Was it supposed to? He looks more like a model but much less natural. Many memes ensued, from comparing Johnson to a vampire, to the Night King from Game of Thrones, and to various movie villains. Some folks joked he managed to age ten years in just six.
Johnson has three kids, but the marriage didn’t last. His second engagement ended in a lawsuit. Most of the time, he seems in good spirits. He laughs off criticism and doesn’t take himself too seriously. Plus, nobody can knock his pioneering spirit. It’s a noble experiment he’s conducting on behalf of the human race, and future generations will undoubtedly thank him for it. Even if Johnson fails, his case will be studied.
While I’m skeptical of how whether Johnson’s approach actually works, the main question I have for him is a bigger one: What is it for? Assuming Johnson lives to 100, 200, even beyond—why does he need that time?
Johnson wants to spend time with his family, particularly his son. Perhaps more than the average person. Thankfully, Johnson is already rich. He and his family have all the time anyone could ever hope to have. But unless his family also follows his protocols—and they don’t—they might not be around as long as he will be. It’s one thing for one man to live forever—but can he extend his magic powers to the people he loves?
Then, there are the endless hours spent on Johnson’s protocols. If you have all the time in the world yet spend it entirely on generating ever more time for yourself, did you actually need more time to begin with? Or are you chasing more for more instead of more for better?
It’s a dreamy vision, living forever. But if, besides ever, we have nothing else to live for, even endless age might quickly get old. Use what you have. Be grateful. And trust the universe will supply you with enough.
