In this episode, co-hosts Calum and David explore the fascinating possibility that death might become optional within the lifetimes of those already born, fuelled by exponential technological growth. They are joined by José Cordeiro, a prominent transhumanist from Spain and Latin America, who shares his exuberant enthusiasm for the idea. José, an MIT and INSEAD graduate, discusses his journey and his co-authored work, The Death of Death, which presents the case for immortality.

Key Points:

This episode features José Cordeiro, who explores the scientific advancements and cultural shifts necessary to make death optional by 2045. Highlighting the rapid growth of longevity research and its transformative societal and economic impacts, he envisions a future where ageing is cured. With optimism and urgency, Cordeiro calls for global collaboration and bold political action to bring this vision to life.

• Longevity Science as a Frontier: José Cordeiro outlines the vision of curing ageing by leveraging biological insights from species like jellyfish and cancer cells, which demonstrate traits of immortality.
• Exponential Advances in Biotechnology: Breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, such as Yamanaka factors, and genetic engineering are paving the way for technologies that could achieve "longevity escape velocity" by 2030, where lifespan extends faster than time.
• Economic and Policy Dimensions: The discussion emphasizes the economic benefits of life extension technologies, predicting their rise as a major global industry, alongside the need for political action, such as declaring ageing a curable disease, to catalyse progress.
• Cultural Resistance to Longevity: Cordeiro addresses the societal hesitation toward extended lifespans, attributing it to long-standing cultural norms, while advocating for a paradigm shift through education and technological demonstration.
• Collaborative and Strategic Approaches: Highlighting the importance of global partnerships, he calls for decentralized science and coordinated efforts between public and private sectors to accelerate research and overcome challenges.
• Vision of the Future: By curing ageing, Cordeiro envisions a transformative era of health and happiness, where humanity achieves its greatest milestone, fundamentally redefining life and ethics.