SGU: Never grow old

It is a surprisingly exotic subject that features in the latest Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast: immortality. Guest Brian Trent has written a book on the subject: 'Never Grow Old: The Novel of Gilgamesh'. The idea is that in literature the concept of immortality, eternal youth and at least postponing death has been a subject since long. Another idea is that with the progressing technology, our longevity extends far beyond what we could have hoped for as a species.

I liked the interview. many of the aspects that are being discussed trigger much thought, questions and if not that then at least: the imagination. Shortly, also one of my favorite fascination jumps on the table: in terms of biology and evolution, we are basically pretty inapt apes, that stood up, because the environment and climate changes dictated that, but we are hardly built to do that and what is more, have no additional prowess to speak of. Nothing that would warrant the outrageous survival feat we have shown. Also, from a natural history perspective, our cultural development is extremely recent, if not to say, short lived. Hence, we are a feeble, vulnerable animal with little chance of survival, yet we survive beyond excpectation.

That is a way of saying we are pretty immortal as it is and kicking forward. But how and why, what does it mean. My thoughts go in all directions. This is the stuff I adore.