13 replies to this topic

[Saradus]

Last week there was an interesting debate involving Aubrey de Grey in the Sheldonian Theatre. Unfortunately I didn't hear about this until the day after so didn't get a chance to go, but the debate has now been uploaded for all to see. The debate is "This house wants to defeat ageing entirely". Aubrey de Grey goes into depth about his thoughts on life extension and provides a very interesting talk. Not sure I'm a fan of the opposing Colin Blakemore though.

If there's any other interesting talks here in the future I'll let you guys know, a lot of these talks are usually open to the public, at least in a limited capacity. There's been some really cool stuff already, so I'm sure there's more to come

Part 1:


Part 2:

[Alric]

I didn't watch it all because I have heard many similar things before, but it is still a very good video. I am very much a fan of immortality, not just the elimination aging but making it so people truly live forever. Aubrey has always made what I thought was a very reasonable argument, in that we just need many modest improvements in health and eventually we will live forever.

​Technology is increasing at an exponential rate, but we only need a linear level of improvement, each year increase life span by 1 year to actually reach an end of aging. So I think he is being very conservative. Though that is understandable.

[SG-1]

I watched all of it. I can't believe the majority would believe in that sensationalist idiot on the left.

[Saradus]

I watched all of it. I can't believe the majority would believe in that sensationalist idiot on the left.

Agreed, Colin Blakemore was full of empty arguments and if anything seemed to be just picking holes in Aubrey de Grey personally. As always, the bottleneck for advancement in this area (like many other areas of development) is getting people on side and more receptive so that more funding and focus can be given. The inclination towards status quo is such a frustrating trait in society, hopefully one which will fade away in the near future.

[Logically Irrational]

I think its just a good sign that people can immediately agree to call someone like that out.

[Azevo]

I'm sure I mentioned this back on the old forums, but it is possible to contact De Grey via email if his research is quite interesting to you.

[Shimmy]

His anti ageing stuff is quite popular but his real passion is in solving obscure othello problems, so feign an interest in that first to get him to like you.

[CyberMisterBeauty]

This guy is very ugly,his beard is very long,he look like that old sabians or a homeless...


But he's very intelligent!!!!eheheheh!

[SG-1]

I've seen him in a lot of videos drinking a beer. It seems he is an alcoholic, which is sad since a bad image makes your argument weaker - that's just the way it is.

[Shimmy]

I've seen him in a lot of videos drinking a beer. It seems he is an alcoholic, which is sad since a bad image makes your argument weaker - that's just the way it is.

Naa, I wouldn't say that, he likes his beer but he can easily go a day and function fine without drinking. He's no more an alcoholic than half of Britain is.

[wjfox]

Aubrey de Grey is doing an "AMA" on Reddit tomorrow -

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/

Should be interesting!

[wjfox]

http://www.reddit.co...e_officer_sens/

[zen_mutiny]

Hopefully, all those who voted against it are doing so becuse they feel it is unfeasible at this time and not because they feel it would be undesireable.

If not, I'm shocked. The dangers of overpopulation and having to reconsider the retirement age are easily solved and petty concerns when weighed against the benefits of rejuvination, which is, in essence, the logical end result to all medical science, period.

Edited by zen_mutiny, 16 May 2012 - 04:25 PM.

[Azevo]

If you've ever read the 'yuck' argument or anything to do with repugnance in moral philosophy, that seems to be a fairly good explanation of why people don't like De Grey's ideas on life extension, generally comes from a lack of knowledge or a deep moral repugnance towards his ideas for one reason or another.