Throughline: History of the Self – Aging
Hosted by Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei, NPR’s Throughline takes listeners on a captivating journey through time. In the January 2, 2025 episode titled "History of the Self: Aging," Abdelfatah and Arablouei explore humanity’s enduring obsession with defeating aging and the remarkable story of Eli Metchnikov, a pioneering scientist whose quest to cure aging left a lasting legacy.
1. The Eternal Quest: From Legends to Science (00:28 - 02:27)
The episode opens with a glimpse into the age-old human fascination with immortality. Narrated anecdotes span from Qin Shi Huang’s quest for an elixir of life in 200 BC to late 19th-century legends about life-restoring artifacts. The narrator sets the stage by introducing Eli Metchnikov’s momentous claim in December 1899 when he believed he had discovered the secret to eternal life.
Narrator (00:28): "After the alchemists disappeared at sea, the legend says the emperor took things into his own hands and died after drinking what he thought was a cure."
Metchnikov's breakthrough captured global attention, symbolizing a shift from mystical pursuits to scientific endeavors in the fight against aging.
2. Eli Metchnikov: A Scientist Ahead of His Time (03:07 - 05:14)
Eli Metchnikov, renowned for his fearless scientific methods, became a household name. Known for consuming cholera and testing his own limits, Metchnikov’s dedication to science was unparalleled.
Expert/Scientist (03:07): "He was very famous. He was one of the most famous scientists in the world."
His work on the immune system eventually earned him a Nobel Prize, cementing his status as a visionary. Metchnikov firmly believed that science could solve aging, viewing it as a disease to be treated.
Philosopher/Scientist (04:03): "Aging is a disease that should be treated like any other."
3. Discovering the Immune System: A Scientific Breakthrough (08:31 - 14:34)
Metchnikov’s early life in 19th-century Russia was marked by curiosity and resilience. Growing up in a time when modern medicine was nascent, he was driven by a desire to alleviate human suffering. His pivotal moment came during a study trip to Sicily, where he observed mobile cells in starfish larvae under a microscope.
Expert/Scientist (13:20): "He was very happy that he was still interested in females."
Expert/Scientist (13:42): "He came up with the idea that maybe this is a defensive force of the organism."
This observation led to the foundational understanding of the immune response, positioning Metchnikov as a pioneer in immunology.
4. The Death Instinct and the Pursuit to Cure Aging (14:49 - 20:56)
Metchnikov’s fascination extended beyond immunity to the broader question of aging. He theorized the existence of a "death instinct," a natural predisposition towards mortality that he hoped could be understood and managed.
Philosopher/Scientist (16:36): "This instinct must be accompanied by marvelous sensations, better than any other we are capable of experiencing."
His ventures into large hospitals like La Salpetriere revealed a populace desperate to extend their lifespans, reinforcing his belief that aging was a solvable affliction.
Philosopher/Scientist (20:51): "What is this love of life that makes death so terrible?"
Metchnikov envisioned a utopian future where medicine could prolong life until individuals felt ready to die, aspiring to extend human life to 150 years.
5. Yogurt: The Accidental Elixir (21:03 - 33:10)
Metchnikov’s theories took a dramatic turn with his discovery of the benefits of yogurt. Observing the longevity of Bulgarians who consumed large amounts of yogurt, he hypothesized that lactic acid from sour milk could combat the microbes he believed caused aging.
Expert/Scientist (28:05): "Meshnikov thought that in the intestines there are microbes that cause rotting and that the rotting is what really causes the deterioration of aging."
In a landmark lecture in 1904, Metchnikov championed yogurt as the elixir of life, sparking a global yogurt mania.
Expert/Scientist (32:05): "He connected all these dots together. We age because in the intestines, it is rotting. And lactic acid that is produced in sour milk can stop this rotting by killing the bacteria that cause the rotting."
Despite Metchnikov’s reservations about media sensationalism, yogurt became a staple in diets worldwide, transforming the food industry and popular health practices.
Historical Figure (32:46): "He coined the beginning of the yogurt industry."
6. Clash of Titans: Metchnikov Meets Tolstoy (37:00 - 41:40)
In 1909, Metchnikov returned to Russia to engage with the esteemed writer and philosopher Leo Tolstoy. This meeting epitomized the tension between scientific rationalism and spiritual morality.
Philosopher/Scientist (37:21): "I had long wanted to get to know Tolstoy closer, learning in person what he really thought about universal issues that had fascinated me since my youth."
Tolstoy critiqued Metchnikov’s reliance on science, arguing that morality and love were paramount.
Philosopher/Scientist (38:16): "Scientists can't tell useful knowledge from useless. They study such topics as the sexual organs of the amoeba only because this allows them to live like lords."
The dialogue between them was intense, highlighting the broader European debate on the roles of science and spirituality in improving human life. Despite their differing viewpoints, they found a common ground in yogurt, though Metchnikov remained steadfast in his scientific pursuits.
7. The Final Years: War and Decline (42:05 - 45:56)
World War I profoundly impacted Metchnikov’s life and work. As a staunch believer in science’s capacity to foster peace, the outbreak of war shattered his optimism.
Expert/Scientist (43:18): "What really killed him was World War I. He was such a believer in rational thought, in science. He thought that there will be no more wars, that the world had learned from that."
The war effort consumed the Pasteur Institute, leaving Metchnikov disheartened. His health deteriorated, and he struggled with his fears of death despite his lifelong quest to overcome it.
Philosopher/Scientist (45:18): "Let all those who expected me to live 100 years or longer forgive me my premature death."
Eli Metchnikov passed away in 1916 at the age of 71, far short of his dream of a 150-year lifespan.
8. Legacy and Modern Perspectives on Aging (46:51 - 50:45)
Metchnikov’s influence persists in today’s aging research. Modern experts continue to explore the boundaries of lifespan and healthspan, drawing inspiration from his groundbreaking work.
Philosopher/Scientist (48:10): "I've been working in the field of aging for almost 40 years, trying to figure out why people live as long as we do and how to make that last even longer."
While Metchnikov did not achieve eternal life, his promotion of yogurt remains ubiquitous, and his scientific principles underpin much of contemporary gerontology.
Listener/Caller (50:45): "Though in some ways, some of us get more than that. Eli Metchnikov wasn't able to beat aging, but he's still with us in fridges and on breakfast tables everywhere."
The episode concludes by reflecting on the enduring human desire to extend life and the ongoing search for solutions, embodying Metchnikov’s legacy.
Conclusion
Throughline’s episode "History of the Self: Aging" weaves a rich tapestry of historical narrative, scientific discovery, and personal struggle. Eli Metchnikov’s relentless pursuit to understand and cure aging exemplifies the intersection of human aspiration and scientific endeavor. Despite the setbacks and ultimate failings of his mission, Metchnikov’s work laid the groundwork for modern aging research and left an indelible mark on both science and popular culture.
Notable Quotes:
- Philosopher/Scientist (04:03): "Aging is a disease that should be treated like any other."
- Expert/Scientist (13:42): "He came up with the idea that maybe this is a defensive force of the organism."
- Philosopher/Scientist (16:36): "This instinct must be accompanied by marvelous sensations, better than any other we are capable of experiencing."
- Expert/Scientist (28:05): "Meshnikov thought that in the intestines there are microbes that cause rotting and that the rotting is what really causes the deterioration of aging."
- Philosopher/Scientist (37:21): "I had long wanted to get to know Tolstoy closer, learning in person what he really thought about universal issues that had fascinated me since my youth."
- Philosopher/Scientist (38:16): "Scientists can't tell useful knowledge from useless. They study such topics as the sexual organs of the amoeba only because this allows them to live like lords."
- Philosopher/Scientist (45:18): "Let all those who expected me to live 100 years or longer forgive me my premature death."
This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions of the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the full podcast.