Conspirituality Podcast Episode 240: Bryan Johnson’s Impossible Blueprint

In Episode 240 of the Conspirituality podcast, hosts Derek Barris, Matthew Rimsky, and Julian Walker delve deep into the enigmatic world of biohacking and the quest for immortality through the lens of Bryan Johnson’s ambitious longevity pursuits. Released on January 16, 2025, this episode navigates the intricate intersections of technology, spirituality, and conspiracy theories, offering listeners a comprehensive analysis of Johnson’s controversial endeavors.

1. Setting the Stage: Wildfires and Media Narratives [02:40 - 10:09]

The episode opens against the backdrop of devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and Altadena. Julian Walker shares a personal account of witnessing fierce winds and the destruction caused by the Palisades fire, emphasizing the profound impact on the community:

“The winds that night were the most intense I've seen in my 35 years of living here... It's one of those historic moments that will always be a before and after milestone in our lives.” ([02:40])

The hosts critique the media’s focus on affluent neighborhoods, highlighting how narratives often skew towards sensationalism rather than addressing underlying issues like climate change. Derek Barris adds:

“Missing from that kind of coverage has been any acknowledgement that the climate crisis is driving the conditions that make the fires more frequent and more severe.” ([05:47])

2. Conspiracy Theories and Disinformation [10:09 - 25:46]

As the discussion progresses, the hosts expose the rise of conspiracy theories in the wake of the wildfires. Julian Walker points out the proliferation of unfounded claims, such as fires being initiated by directed energy weapons (DO D E W) or as part of elite land grabs:

“That's part of that land grab and smart cities kind of idea. And these types of posts were viewed tens of thousands of times.” ([11:56])

They critically examine figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who perpetuate misinformation by blaming external factors like woke mismanagement or falsely accusing officials of discriminatory practices:

“But excellent reporting from Politico... clarified that in fact, the city's fire budget increased more than $50 million year over year compared to the last budget cycle.” ([07:43])

Matthew Rimsky introduces a broader analysis of Trump’s manipulative tactics, likening him to a pro wrestling "heel" who thrives on generating controversy to maintain visibility:

“Trump is generating heat on international relations so that he can market test what kind of worked shoot will keep him in the center of the ring.” ([18:03])

3. Bryan Johnson’s Quest for Immortality [25:46 - 43:35]

Transitioning from wildfires and conspiracy theories, the hosts pivot to Bryan Johnson, a tech entrepreneur renowned for his $2 million annual investment in longevity research. Derek Barris recounts Johnson’s journey from founding Braintree and selling it to PayPal for $800 million, to his current obsession with anti-aging:

“Now, given how pervasive Bryan has been in wellness spaces, I don't think a ton of background is necessary. But briefly, he founded the payments app Braintree in 2007... he now spends millions each year trying to lower his biological age.” ([25:46])

Julian Walker offers a nuanced perspective, describing Johnson as both a "privileged" figure and a "vulnerable and wounded human being." He highlights the documentary’s juxtaposition of Johnson’s intense self-discipline with his tender relationship with his son:

“There's an uncomfortable, surreal, at times maybe a bit creepy sense of them being on this billionaire longevity biohacking journey together.” ([29:33])

Matthew Rimsky critiques the individualistic approach of Johnson’s biohacking, drawing parallels to ancient ascetics while questioning the sustainability and societal implications of such pursuits:

“There's a kind of earnest quality to the character as portrayed. He's fragile. He's also a deep materialist in a way...” ([31:27])

Derek Barris further dissects Johnson’s Longevity Mix, a supplement stack marketed for anti-aging, expressing skepticism about its efficacy and transparency:

“There's just a bunch of other stuff and you don't know what's actually in it. But I love that moment that you guys laughed because there's just boxes with words on it on the site.” ([42:36])

4. Historical Context and Philosophical Underpinnings [43:35 - 52:24]

The conversation shifts to the age-old human obsession with immortality, referencing the Epic of Gilgamesh and biblical narratives. Matthew Rimsky emphasizes the fictional nature of exaggerated lifespans in ancient texts, contrasting them with modern scientific endeavors:

“There are no digits that support any of these lifespans that exceed 100 years in the Hebrew Bible because people didn't live that long back then.” ([36:23])

Derek Barris connects Bryan Johnson’s mission to historical quests, highlighting the continuity of humanity’s strive to overcome mortality through various means:

“This comes around to Dave Asprey, who coined the term biohacking in 2004... This path was paved by computer hackers that were DIY biologists in the 60s and 70s.” ([37:18])

5. Personal Reflections and Ethical Considerations [52:24 - 59:52]

The hosts engage in a candid discussion about Bryan Johnson’s personal life and the ethical dimensions of his longevity practices. Matthew Rimsky introduces Blair Hodges, a religious studies scholar, to explore Johnson’s Mormon upbringing and its influence on his materialistic pursuits:

“He has a brief coming out with podcaster and journalist Blair Hedges... Mormonism is really a perfect American frontier religion because it is unapologetically materialistic.” ([47:33])

Derek Barris reflects on the superficial appeal of Johnson’s image, critiquing the blend of scientific ambition with religious-like fervor:

“This is just science being used as cover for religion... When I hear Johnson and everything they're doing and all of the crapshoot that you're just throwing into your body, I just can't do anything but look back to the epic of Gilgamesh like you're on the quest for longevity.” ([58:49])

Julian Walker raises concerns about the societal impact and the potential for exploitation inherent in Johnson’s model, urging for a more community-oriented approach to using his resources:

“How about if you use all the money you make from Blueprint or a significant amount of it to fund the incredible access you have to biotech information processing and figure out what are the three top things that we would make a massive difference in the world if...” ([59:37])

6. Conclusion: The Broader Implications of Longevity Pursuits

Wrapping up the episode, the hosts synthesize their discussions, underscoring the existential anxieties driving both ancient myths and modern biohacking movements. They caution against the commodification of immortality and advocate for scientific rigor and societal benefit over individualistic pursuits.

“The through line is... behind all of it is the existential anxiety we feel about having knowledge of the fact that one day we will die.” ([44:10])

The episode serves as a critical examination of Bryan Johnson’s "Impossible Blueprint," challenging listeners to reflect on the ethical, societal, and personal ramifications of striving for eternal youth through technological means.

Notable Quotes

• Julian Walker ([02:40]): “It is one of those historic moments that will always be a before and after milestone in our lives.”

• Derek Barris ([05:47]): “Missing from that kind of coverage has been any acknowledgement that the climate crisis is driving the conditions that make the fires more frequent and more severe.”

• Matthew Rimsky ([18:03]): “Trump is generating heat on international relations so that he can market test what kind of worked shoot will keep him in the center of the ring.”

• Julian Walker ([29:33]): “It's rare to see such father, son closeness and love depicted on my TV screen.”

• Matthew Rimsky ([31:27]): “There's a kind of earnest quality to the character as portrayed. He's fragile. He's also a deep materialist in a way...”

• Derek Barris ([42:36]): “There's just a bunch of other stuff and you don't know what's actually in it. But I love that moment that you guys laughed because there's just boxes with words on it on the site.”

• Matthew Rimsky ([36:23]): “There are no digits that support any of these lifespans that exceed 100 years in the Hebrew Bible because people didn't live that long back then.”

• Derek Barris ([58:49]): “This is just science being used as cover for religion... I just can't do anything but look back to the epic of Gilgamesh like you're on the quest for longevity.”

Episode Takeaway

Episode 240 of Conspirituality offers a multifaceted critique of Bryan Johnson’s longevity ventures, contextualizing them within broader societal fears, historical quests for immortality, and the pitfalls of commodifying eternal youth. Through incisive analysis and engaging dialogue, the hosts illuminate the complex dynamics at play in the modern pursuit of living forever, urging listeners to critically assess the implications of such endeavors.