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Special Episode: Brain Preservation and Abolishing Death

Special Episode: Brain Preservation and Abolishing Death

Author: James Fodor May 4, 2025 Duration: 1:16:05
The Science of Everything Podcast
Science
An interview with Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, author of the book 'The Future Loves You: How and Why We Should Abolish Death'. We begin by discussing how best to define death, focusing on the idea of death as the permanent disruption of psychological identity, and how such identity is constituted by our personality, desires, and memories. We then consider the science of brain preservation, including the recently-developed technique of Aldehyde-Stabilized Cryopreservation, and how it could be used to indefinitely preserve the brain structure that encodes or personal identity. Ariel argues that such a preserved brain could potentially be used to construct a digital simulation of our brains, essentially allowing us to survive the biological death of our bodies. We conclude by considering some potential challenges of implementign such a technology, and whether it would achieve widespread social acceptance. Ariel's book: The Future Loves You: How and Why We Should Abolish Death Turning Fate into Choice: Patient Self-Determination and Life Extension More on brain preservation: A case for developing Aldehyde Stabilized Cryopreservation into a medical procedure How much protein structure loss is there following glutaraldehyde crosslinking? Large Mammal BPF Prize Winning Announcement Mapping the Drosophila brain: The connectome of an insect brain | Science      

Curiosity about how the world works is a universal trait, and The Science of Everything Podcast is built on that very impulse. Host James Fodor guides conversations that roam freely across disciplines, from the physics of black holes to the complexities of human behavior studied in social sciences. Each episode feels like a deep dive into a new subject, where the common thread is a rigorous yet accessible application of the scientific method. You’ll hear explanations that break down complex ideas without oversimplifying them, focusing on the fascinating insights that research reveals about our universe and our place within it. This isn't a lecture series, but rather an exploration driven by genuine inquiry. Whether the topic is rooted in biology, chemistry, sociology, or astronomy, the aim is to connect the dots between abstract principles and the tangible reality we experience. The result is a consistently engaging audio experience that reminds us just how much there is left to discover. Tune in to this thoughtful podcast for a regular dose of understanding, designed to satisfy both the casual question-asker and the dedicated lifelong learner.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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