Constructing a roadmap to immortality? With Alexey Turchin

April 25, 2016

Accelerating technology seems to offer humanity a variety of options to radically extend healthy lifespans – potentially even enabling indefinite lifespans (commonly called “immortality”). The technological possibilities include stem cell therapies, genomic medicine, nanobots, cloned organs, synthetic bodies, artificial intelligence, brain scanning, and many more. However, significant obstacles stand in the way of translating these possibilities into social realities. For this reason, a number of researchers and activists are working on what have been called “Roadmaps to Immortality”.

In this presentation, Alexey Turchin will:

  • Outline work that he has overseen on a proposed “Roadmap to Immortality” (link) from the present day until mid century – a roadmap that features a “Plan A”, “Plan B”, “Plan C”, and “Plan D”
  • Review work he has undertaken on a parallel project “Plan of Action to Prevent Human Extinction Risks” (link) which recognises that the same technologies that can enable radical life extension could also, in various circumstances, threaten the extinction of the human race
  • Call for international cooperation to improve and extend these roadmaps, and to take key actions in the light of the understanding that emerges
  • Discuss the activities of the Transhumanist Party in Russia and in the USA, where he has played leading roles.

About Alexey Turchin:

Alexey Turchin studied Physics and Art History at Moscow State University, and is the author of  numerous articles on the topic of existential risks. Since 2010, he has worked at the Science for Longer Life Foundation.

In 2012 he was a co-founder of the Longevity Party, in Russia – which can be seen as the world’s first transhumanist party. He is the creator and sole admin of the first “Transhumanist Party” group on Facebook. He has organised a number of street actions for life extension around the world, including in the USA, Hong Kong and Paris. He spent some time in 2015 travelling in the USA in the “Immortality bus” with Zoltan Istvan. He has participated in discussions in the Russian Parliament and has drafted legislation supportive of life extension.

Meeting logistics:

2pm-4pm, Saturday 30th April 2016.

Venue: Room TBA (To Be Announced), Birkbeck College, Torrington Square WC1E 7HX, London.

Room TBA is on the TBAth floor in the main Birkbeck College building, in Torrington Square (which is a pedestrian-only square). Torrington Square is about 10 minutes walk from either Russell Square or Goodge St tube stations.

Coffee and other light refreshments can be purchased from the Costa Coffee shop in the reception area of the building, either ahead of or after the meeting.

The event will be followed by a chance to continue the discussion in a nearby pub – The Marlborough Arms, 36 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HJ.

Event hashtag:

#LonFut

Covering meeting costs:

A small fee (£5) is payable to attend this meetup. This fee covers room hire costs. Please pay in advance, online, after you RSVP.

This will be refunded if the meeting is cancelled or rearranged, or if the attendee cancels at least 3 days before the meetup.

Alternatively, if there are still seats available, payment can be made in cash at the door on the day. (Requesting payment in advance assists with accurate planning of the event.)

Journalists are welcome to attend the meeting free-of-charge – please contact the organiser, notifying us in advance of your plans to attend.