In this episode, Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, neuroscientist and Research Fellow at Monash University, discusses his book The Future Loves You: How and Why We Should Abolish Death. He delves into the idea that preserving the connectome—the intricate map of synapses in the brain—could ensure personal continuity beyond physical death. Ariel also claims that brain preservation technology is already accessible enough to be offered universally, raising profound questions explored in this conversation.

Key Points:

The podcast painted a fascinating vision of combining neuroscience and futuristic technologies to tackle ageing and mortality while addressing the profound questions of identity and consciousness. It emphasized the potential societal impact and necessity of preparing for these advancements.

• Brain Preservation and Longevity: Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston advocates for technologies that preserve the brain’s connectome, enabling future revival and potentially extending life indefinitely.
• Consciousness and Identity: The discussion tackled the philosophical challenges of personal identity, emphasizing the continuity of memories, goals, and personality over physical or uninterrupted consciousness.
• Historical Analogy: The story of Elizabeth Hughes, whose life was extended by early diabetes treatments until insulin was discovered, served as a metaphor for how emerging technologies could bridge gaps in longevity science.
• Cryopreservation and Chemo-Preservation: Ariel explored current and speculative techniques like plastination, comparing their potential to traditional cryonics for preserving identity.
• Ethics and Feasibility: The podcast highlighted the cost-effectiveness and ethical implications of brain preservation technologies, suggesting a societal pivot toward making them widely accessible.
• Future of Neuroscience: A survey of neuroscientists revealed that 45% believe brain preservation could one day enable the revival or emulation of minds, sparking optimism about future possibilities.