Is this man a genius or self-deluded?

[unicorn]

I just read in the New York Times a story of a man who's 46, but believes he's biologically much younger: entrepreneur Bryan Johnson. He does a bunch of things which he believes keeps him younger. Some make sense, like being very physically active almost every day, and eating a relatively healthy diet. Some are probably counter-productive and ill-advised, such as receiving plasma from his 19 year-old son (which can results in developing antibodies that can make future blood transfusions problematic), and going into his own hyperbaric oxygen chamber (which puts his body's cells under oxidative stress).

Quite frankly, though his body is quite fit (probably due to his time in the gym), I don't find him that youthful-appearing for his age. Here he is with his father and his son.

I have middle-aged friends who look better:

https://www.livemint.com/news/trends/tech-millionaire-bryan-johnsons-face-blew-up-during-anti-aging-endeavor-got-worse-till-i-couldn-t-see-11732033498071.html

I suspect his obsession may end up doing more harm than good. Are you more impressed or concerned for him?

 

[vinapu]

I'm concerned about his son as having stupid and delusional father was never good thing.

[macaroni21]

1 hour ago, vinapu said:

I'm concerned about his son as having stupid and delusional father was never good thing.

+1

Somewhere there I can see a charge of parental abuse being made out.

[a-447]

He leads a very boring lifestyle in order to try to remain young.

He exercises all day and eats horrible food. He doesn't really have a life. It also means he can't really travel, as he would have trouble continuing his exercise regime and finding appropriate food. He couldn't just go to a restaurant like the rest of us.

I saw a documentary about him where he compared erections with his son to see who could stay hard the longest, and he won!

But his daily regime wouldn't leave him any time for sex!

Years ago I met a guy by the pool in Bali. He went into great detail about his efforts to look young - punishing exercise, creams and lotions, sparse diet, etc.

"So, how old do you think I am?"

"I'd say, 60." I was trying to be polite.

He was completely deflated.

He was 55.

I find any discussion with personal sexual behaviour (aka wanking) with your son cringe-worthy in the extreme.

I saw a tik-tok where a tourist was in the Tenga store in Tokyo, telling us how great the wanking toy was, and how he was going to buy one for his son.

I was also a little embarrassed when I was having dinner with my Japanese friend and his family in Perth. I had arranged for the son to enrol in an expensive private school for boys. He had to stay in the dormitory.

My friend said he was uncomfortable in a dorm because other boys could see him wanking.

Never mind, said his mum. I'll make you a curtain you can attach to your bunk for a bit of privacy!

I later reassured my friend that he'd certainly not be the only boy wanking in the dorm. 

Oh, and the father wrote me a cheque for $30,000 in appreciation for my getting his son into the school!

 

 

[unicorn]

2 hours ago, a-447 said:

....

I saw a documentary about him where he compared erections with his son to see who could stay hard the longest, and he won!

....

Yikes! I didn't even know about that! It doesn't get more cringe-worthy!

[vinapu]

6 hours ago, a-447 said:

 

I saw a documentary about him where he compared erections with his son to see who could stay hard the longest, and he won!

......

I find any discussion with personal sexual behaviour (aka wanking) with your son cringe-worthy in the extreme.

 

you know what?  when I read 1st sentence about comparing erection I actually cringed 

I think it's sick to the core.

By the way , don't you have better use of your time then watching documentaries about such a nut?

[10tazione]

One should also note he sells food supplements, so maybe not genius but business genius?

[PeterRS]

One day perhaps he will learn that the life we have is for living - not spending a great deal of time trying to extend it. Or he may end up like that guy who promoted jogging as a way of living fitter. He collapsed and died in his 50s if I remember correctly.

[vinapu]

35 minutes ago, PeterRS said:

One day perhaps he will learn that the life we have is for living - not spending a great deal of time trying to extend it. Or he may end up like that guy who promoted jogging as a way of living fitter. He collapsed and died in his 50s if I remember correctly.

that would be my concern, manipulating our bodies too much may lead to unintended consequences, either life shortened , or even worse , extended but with last 10-15 years spend miserably in the bed  , hoping somebody will bring us tea

[a-447]

4 hours ago, vinapu said:

By the way , don't you have better use of your time then watching documentaries about such a nut?

I didn't seek it out - it was on 60 Minutes.

 

 

[unicorn]

6 hours ago, PeterRS said:

One day perhaps he will learn that the life we have is for living - not spending a great deal of time trying to extend it. Or he may end up like that guy who promoted jogging as a way of living fitter. He collapsed and died in his 50s if I remember correctly.

Yes, you're probably thinking of Jim Fixx, the jogging enthusiast/author who, unfortunately, appears to have ignored standard medical care, and left his cholesterol levels and blood pressure untreated, despite an ominous family history (he also smoked for quite some time, though not at the time of his death). There will always be people like Jim Fixx and Bryan Johnson who feel they know more than trained medical professionals, and make their money selling their "expertise." Johnson seems to have made an even bigger fortune off his trinkets and "supplements" (one of which is simply extra virgin olive oil, for which he charges and exorbitant price), than Fixx did with his books. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Fixx

"...Fixx died on July 20, 1984, at age 52 of a heart attack, during his daily run on Vermont Route 15 in Hardwick. The autopsy, conducted by Vermont's chief medical examiner, Eleanor McQuillen, revealed that atherosclerosis had blocked one coronary artery 95%, a second 85%, and a third 70%...". 

While few would deny the benefits of regular exercise, a sedentary lifestyle is only one of many risk factors one needs to address. Exercise should be part of competent medical care, not a substitute for it. Johnson's antics, too, could prove hazardous to his health.

[Travelingguy]

I would assume that he is taking testosterone, whether he would admit it or not.  Like I would tell my partner if he asked.  How old do I look?  You are 46 years old, so by definition this is what a 46 year old man looks like.

[kokopelli3]

16 hours ago, PeterRS said:

One day perhaps he will learn that the life we have is for living - not spending a great deal of time trying to extend it. Or he may end up like that guy who promoted jogging as a way of living fitter. He collapsed and died in his 50s if I remember correctly.

Correct, his name was James Fixx, an American.

[BjornAgain]

What's wrong with the old adage of drinking blood?