This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Tuesday, 3 December 2024
Does the Future Really Love Human Brains?
'Brillient, young' neuroscientist Dr Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston has a book entitled 'The Future Loves You: How and Why We Should Abolish Death'. In it, he suggests that we already have the ability to 'press the pause button' on death. Zeleznikow-Johnston argues that human brains can be preserved indefinitely, 'for the cost of a mid-range car'. He postulates that (eventually?) medical advances will enable us to reactivate these organs, restoring a sembalance of life (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/dec/01/with-brain-preservation-nobody-has-to-die-meet-the-neuroscientist-who-believes-life-could-be-eternal). Zeleznikow-Johnston may be right about preservation of tissue and medical advances. Would the future (if there is one) really benefit by having up to 8.5 bn preserved brains to reactivate? Perhaps, only a small minority of the planet's human population would actually want to go through such a process. Even that, could involve masses of materials and storage facilities, as well as ethical dilemmas. A relatively large mass of human material could fail to be recycled in biogeochemical cycles. That could grow and grow with succeeding generations. Would the poor or folk with damaged brains be excluded from the exercise? Would the 'insights' revealed by preserved ancient brains actually help things in the future. Zeleznikow-Johnston's ideas are not a million miles away from the early cryogenic exercises. These were reportedly engaged in by Walt Disney and others. That was clearly a 'rich man's game'. Rather than 'abolishing death', it might be better to concentrate on having a good and productive life. The viability of the planet relies on recycling of materials as well as ideas.
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