In this blog post, we explore the possibility that advances in human technology and intelligence could extend human lifespan indefinitely, and analyze the impact of biological limitations and social factors on this prospect.
Homo Deus and the Possibility of Immortality
Humans survive by exerting a more destructive and far-reaching impact on the Earth’s ecosystem than any other life form that has ever existed. This stems from the tools and technologies developed during human evolution, as well as the complexity of our social structures. In particular, since the Industrial Revolution, humans have transformed the natural environment through rapidly advancing technology and industrialization, causing the Earth’s ecosystem to undergo severe changes. In this process, humans have continuously enhanced their capabilities to ensure survival, and as a result, the desire for life extension has also grown.
The book ‘Homo Deus’ also mentions these enhanced human capabilities. The vision of future humanity presented in the book depicts beings possessing far more advanced technology and intelligence than present-day humans, with abilities that transcend the scope of what humanity currently possesses. While reading the book, I began to think that in the age of ‘Homo Deus’, there will be factors that extend life through technology and culture even more advanced than those of the Anthropocene. In particular, I wondered whether life-extension technologies and the various innovations that make them possible could extend human lifespan indefinitely.
If human capabilities continue to improve, will human lifespan ultimately reach infinity? Based on this question, I intend to discuss the possibility of life extension through the enhanced intelligence and capabilities of Homo Deus. Furthermore, I aim to conduct an in-depth exploration of Homo Deus’s lifespan by considering social factors that could affect longevity—such as the stress prevalent in modern society—as well as the biological costs required to sustain enhanced intelligence and capabilities, such as an increased respiratory rate.
Assumptions and Premises for the Study
The goal of this argument is to analyze the various factors influencing human lifespan and then argue whether human lifespan can be extended to infinity based on these factors. To this end, I establish several assumptions.
The first assumption is to consider humans as a single organism. In other words, I approach the subject from a generalized perspective regarding the human species as a whole, rather than focusing on individual humans. The second assumption is that if a factor influences human lifespan, that factor must be taken into account. This allows for a more realistic argument.
The third assumption posits that human life-extension technologies interact with other technologies, and consequently, the rate of development of life-extension technologies is proportional to the rate of development of other technologies. This assumption takes into account the interdependence of technologies.
The fourth assumption concerns factors shared by humans and animals. For example, if life-extension technology is effective in extending the lifespan of animals, it is assumed that the same technology can be applied to humans.
The fifth assumption posits that the rate of human intellectual development is proportional to the rate of technological advancement. This takes into account the fact that human intelligence has continuously evolved. It also assumes that the energy humans consume for purposes other than intellectual activity remains constant.
Finally, it is assumed that the energy consumed by humans during thought increases in proportion to human intelligence. This is because the human brain consumes a significant amount of energy during cognitive activities, and it is based on the assumption that higher intelligence will require more energy.
Factors Affecting Human Lifespan – Life-Extending Technologies and Enhanced Intelligence
When discussing how the Age of Homo Deus differs from the Anthropocene, the first point to mention is the difference in technological advancement. Homo Deus possesses greater intelligence than humans, and as a result, will have access to more technologies and resources. This technological superiority is expected to have a far greater impact not only on the Earth’s ecosystem but also on the entire universe than that of present-day humanity.
Looking at the current pace of development in life-extension technologies, we can see that both software and biotechnology are advancing exponentially. This suggests that the increase in human lifespan driven by technological progress is taking an exponential form. However, we must also consider the fact that as human technology advances, so does human intelligence, leading to an increase in energy consumption.
Humans use approximately 20% of their total energy in the brain. This energy consumption will increase as intelligence grows. As more energy is consumed, metabolic activity becomes more vigorous, requiring the production of more energy, which will ultimately increase cardiac activity. We must not overlook the fact that if the heart rate accelerates during this process, there is a possibility that lifespan will be shortened.
Another Factor Affecting Human Lifespan: Stress
Another important factor affecting human lifespan is stress. As social animals, humans form complex social structures to defend against external threats and gain social benefits. However, these social structures often suppress individual freedom, cause social injustices and conflicts, and consequently generate stress.
Stress is one of the increasingly complex issues in modern society. As technological advancements transform human lifestyles, we are exposed to more information and face more choices, which can lead to increased stress. Stress has a significant impact on both mental and physical health, and this can ultimately result in a shorter lifespan.
On the other hand, technological advancements can also contribute to stress relief. For example, as various cultural and recreational activities become more easily accessible, people are able to relieve stress more effectively. Therefore, humans in the age of Homo Deus will likely find better stress management strategies than they do today with the help of technology.
Will Homo Deus Achieve Immortality?
When we synthesize the factors affecting human lifespan, the first factor discussed—advances in life-extension technologies—is expected to grow exponentially. The second factor, the life-extending effects related to stress, may be relatively smaller compared to the first, but it will still have a significant impact.
Therefore, it can be argued that the likelihood of Homo Deus achieving immortality is high. However, this argument has several limitations. First, it does not address all factors influencing human lifespan. Second, this argument focused only on common factors between animals and humans, lacking a micro-level analysis of individual human lifespans.
Nevertheless, I believe this argument, by considering the characteristics of Homo Deus, has discussed the lifespan of future humanity and can contribute to explaining the aging phenomenon and declining birth rates observed in modern society. The transition to an aging society will inevitably occur if human lifespans continue to increase.
