Hacking Immortality: New Realities in the Quest to Live Forever

by Sputnik Futures

Cheat death—or at least delay it—with this accessible look into the quest for immortality, and what it means for human civilization.

Are humans close to living forever? With advances in medicine and new therapies that prolong life expectancy, we are on track to make aging ever more manageable. This first book in the exciting new Alice in Futureland series explores both the science and cultural impulse behind extending life, and the numerous ways the quest for eternity forces us to reevaluate what it means to be human. Some experts believe that we haven’t fully realized our true human potential, and we are about to embark on an extraordinary evolutionary shift.

Hacking Immortality answers all your burning questions, including:
–Can humans cheat death?
–What is your grim age?
–Will 100 be the new 40?
–Will we become software?

As reality suddenly catches up to science fiction, Hacking Immortality gives the truth on the state of humanity—and all its possible futures.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2020

Reviews

[Bon Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a collage of different approaches of various authors/schools of thought. They vary in quality, realism, and making sense factor, so your mileage (and age) you achieve by reading it will vary as well.

[Sue Trav · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept and I learned a few new things about living longer. I am not sure about some of the studies cited. For example there was a HIIT study saying that HIIT can increase longevity. The study sample was 36 men and 36 women so not a very robust group.

I am going to do some further research into a few of the concepts. I am curious about the Blue Zones and the Okinawa program, I am also going to get my blood work done and ask for more information about the four biomarkers that are discussed in the book. I also liked the idea that if you felt younger mentally (subjective age), you lived longer. I would like to look at those research studies as well.

Some of the future AI stuff was a bit out there for me but I liked the overall idea of this book. It was an informative (and eye opening) read.

Thank you to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Cav · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Can you imagine living in a world where aging is optional?
The World Health Organization, in their international disease codebook, declared aging a treatable condition. So now doctors and countries can report back to the World Health Organization how many people in their country are suffering from this condition known as “old age.”—David A. Sinclair, genetics professor at Harvard Medical School, author of Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Don't Have To

Hacking Immortality is a forward-looking work, that compiles much of the new research about longevity; from many of the most prominent scientific researchers and visionary thinkers. The book mentions David A. Sinclair, Ray Kurzweil, Michael R. Rose, Aubrey de Grey, Freeman Dyson, Nick Bostrom, and Nicholas A. Christakis; among many others. These are names sure to be familiar to those who have been following this field.

The narrative structure of this one is a bit unorthodox. The book is authored by Sputnik Futures, "a research consultancy that specializes in frontier futures, long-range intelligence that enables organizations to resonate in a world of constant and dynamic change." The book opens by telling the reader that "Alice in Futureland is a book series that asks you to wander into possible, probable, plausible, provocative futures."
Near the end the narrator drops this quote:

"Hello; my name is Alice, and I can live forever. It helps that I am one part human and one part AI. When anyone meets me for the first time, they always ask me: How do you live so long?"

Hacking Immortality mentions caloric restriction as a means to extend people's lifespan:

"Some of these new drugs draw on one of the oldest tools in the book: caloric restriction, or CR. In recent years, scientists have discovered that we have nutrient sensors in our cells that determine food availability, and these sensors regulate large gene programs that, in turn, regulate how fast we age. Studies have shown CR to be effective in extending life span and deflecting age-related chronic diseases in a variety of species, including mice, fish, flies, worms, and yeast.
Rodent studies conducted over the past twenty years have demonstrated up to a 40 percent increase in maximum life span through lifelong CR. The mechanisms through which this occurs are still not validated in humans, for many reasons—like, who wants to starve for twenty years?—but CR has reduced metabolic rate and oxidative stress, improved insulin sensitivity, and altered neuroendocrine and sympathetic nervous system function in animals. Most important, these studies demonstrate how it changes genes..."

Many other longevity-related issues and topics are covered in here. Animals that defy traditional definitions of lifespan and aging are also covered; from jellyfish to the tardigrade.
The transhumanism movement is also briefly covered.

The Tardigrade:


Although this book is full of super-interesting writing and talk of cutting-edge research, it might be a bit of a bumpy ride for the layperson unfamiliar with biology, molecular biology and/or biochemistry. The book details some complicated biochemistry, and I would hazard a guess that many (or most) readers might be somewhat lost at times trying to follow the terminology and jargon presented here.

This was an interesting book, but much (or most) of what is covered here remains in the realm of science fiction - for now, at least...
While the book makes many bold predictions, it's important to remain somewhat grounded. Although I like to dream about the amazing possibilities the future has to offer as well, a great deal of the incredible technology proposed here will likely be untenable.
I remember that many scientists and forward-thinkers thought the new millennium would usher in an era of flying cars and interstellar travel, while the real game-changing invention - the internet - was dismissed as a novelty niche tech. Predicting the future hasn't historically gone so well...

I did still enjoy the book, and I would recommend it to anyone interested.
4 stars.

[Kristen Claiborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I would have never encountered had I not received a copy via a Goodreads giveaway. It runs through a whole bunch of different ways scientist around the world are trying to slow down the aging process, and in some cases, stop it all together. Now, I’m a middle aged woman, clearly I would love to figure out how to reverse aging so I could go back to the body I loved hating when I was 25 and only ate 800 calories a day. Everything on my body has started a southbound migration…and only with the advances of Victoria’s Secret and Spanx do I ever get the chance to have some semblance of the body I had before 44 years of life started to become evident. The thing is, I’m actually relatively proud of my body, despite the aesthetic unpleasantness of it all. I earned my stretch marks and saggy breasts by growing two humans then nourishing them. I earned the fat around my belly, both because of my pregnancies, but also with each meal I cooked (and let me tell you what an adventure my culinary skills have been). I earned the lines on my face with years and years of laughter and being able to turn my face to the sky and revel in the joy the sunlight brings (that created a whole other problem, so maybe let’s try to cure cancer, I’d be cool with that). I earned every gray hair on my head through every student that ever sat in my classroom (my teaching career was relatively short-lived, but I loved almost all of those kids). Why would I want to give up the signs on my body that my body has been full of life?
Let me jump off my soapbox and say this book is actually extremely intriguing. There are things scientists are studying that blew my mind, and if you read even four pages of this book, your mind will also be blown. I can live forever! Just kidding, but I might be able to live a pretty darn long time (I will likely have to quit smoking though).

[Tammy Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reads like a magazine with several feature articles announcing major breakthroughs in the treatment of aging as a curable disease. I found it to be full of sensationalist pseudoscience without much that is going to happen in our lifetime. Yes, the fields of molecular genetics and cell science are showing some promising studies. However, they are still in their scientific infancy and cannot be extrapolated to increased longevity. I find it interesting that the billionaires are funding several agencies dedicated to the promotion of such pseudoscience. Sorry folks, but money cannot buy your eternity.

[Courtney R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Hacking Immortality: New Realities in the Quest to Live Forever" by Sputnik Futures offers a thought-provoking dive into the cutting-edge technologies and philosophies surrounding the quest for eternal life. The book's exploration of advancements in longevity and the ethical implications are captivating and well-researched. However, some readers may find that the complex subject matter could benefit from a more streamlined and accessible presentation. Additionally, a deeper exploration of certain ethical and societal considerations would enhance the overall impact of the book.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Carol Stephan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is presented as a guide on current ideas and theories on living a longer life (forever?). I very much like the format of this book. The chapters are presented as articles you might encounter in a magazine and the photography and graphics are excellent. I was familiar with some of the theories presented and learned new things about ones I was not. The last portion of the book provides source material for the chapters which allows for further reading on subjects you may want to delve into a bit deeper.

I received this book for free through Goodreads.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Hacking Immortality takes complex scientific concepts and presents them in an accessible and engaging way, making the fascinating world of science feel approachable. With thought-provoking insights and thorough research, it’s a captivating read for anyone curious about the natural world and the forces shaping it.

[Sherry Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interested book for sure! Definitely gives you a lot to think about!!!! Good book to read!