To the editor: Am I the only one who is bothered by the article about billionaire Peter Diamandis spending his money to experiment with techniques that he hopes will allow him to live more than 100 years, or maybe even forever?
On the same page as this article in the print edition was an article about the plight of immigrants hoping to find asylum in the U.S. On the next page was an article about our impending climate crisis, followed by articles about instability politics in Europe and the conflicts in Israel and Russia.
If Diamandis is successful in his quest for a long life, I hope his fortune will be large enough to purchase a livable environment for him and his family, as well as protection from the global conflicts and humanitarian crises that will surely be exacerbated by the global warming.
Most of us won't have the advantage of the long lifespan that Diamandis hopes your money will buy you, but just as well. The future of humanity on our planet seems quite bleak.
Laurie Jacobs, San Clemente
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To the editor: In Diamandis' complicated quest for eternal youth, which costs $120,000 a year, I can only hope that he follows the free advice that all children, rich and poor alike, have received: look both ways before crossing the street.
To paraphrase Alanis Morissette, wouldn't that be ironic?
Paula Del, Los Angeles
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To the editor: After reading your article about people obsessed with immortality, I went to my gym to do my regular exercise (part of my own “anti-aging movement”). While I was there, I noticed someone wearing a t-shirt that said, “Die with your memories, not your dreams.”
Why not spend all that money and time enjoying the life you have instead of fighting the inevitable?
Chris Blankenhorn, Valencia
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To the editor: I guess I've lived out these rich people's fantasy. I am now 102 years old and a WWII Navy veteran who walks every day.
When I was 20 years old, I had the foresight to get married and have twin daughters. They are both now widowed and have returned home to care for their dear dad.
William Suter, South Pasadena
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To the editor: People trying to live forever may want to read Aldous Huxley's novel, “After Many Summers the Swan Dies,” to see the fate of someone with the same ambition. The 201-year-old character evolves into something they may not want.
Bob Carr, Altadena
