PODCAST:The Intelligence from The Economist
TITLE:The Intelligence: searching for the elixir of life
DATE:2023-12-22 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
In the podcast "The Intelligence" from The Economist, titled "The Intelligence: Searching for the Elixir of Life," various topics are discussed, focusing on the quest for extending human lifespan. The episode features Jeffrey Carr, the Economist's Science Editor at Large, who talks about recent scientific advances that could potentially extend a healthy human lifespan significantly.
Carr explains that aging is a physiological process shaped by natural selection, with many diseases manifesting in old age because the body's repair processes wind down over time. He discusses the development of molecules that mimic calorie restriction, a known method to prolong life in animals, and drugs that target specific aging processes like cellular senescence. Another speculative approach mentioned is the de-aging of cells, which could continuously rejuvenate tissue, possibly leading to indefinite lifespans.
The episode also includes a thought experiment on the societal implications of such life-extending technologies, featuring perspectives from various Economist editors. They explore the potential moral, political, economic, and social ramifications of a world where people could live significantly longer or even indefinitely.
In addition to this main topic, the episode discusses the rise of subscription-based services in social media platforms like Meta and Twitter, and how this trend is changing the advertising landscape. Tom Wainwright, the Economist's Media Editor, explains how social networks are adjusting their business models in response to legal and technological changes that affect targeted advertising.
Finally, the podcast concludes with a cultural segment about the 200th anniversary of the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," more commonly known as "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Max Norman, a culture correspondent for the Economist, discusses the poem's significant impact on modern Christmas traditions and celebrations.
