I just finished reading Don’t Die, by Zero, a novel by Bryan Johnson. Currently, Bryan is probably the most (in)famous biohacker in the world. He’s a tech entrepreneur, and the founder of Braintree Financial and Kernel. And I have the good fortune to count him among old friends, since the time that we lived next door to each other two decades ago. In my observation, Bryan has always been exceptionally audacious and tenacious – both. He dreams big. He works hard. The most obvious consequence of this has been Bryan’s achievement of financial goals that most of us can only imagine, despite serious challenges that many of us know all too well, such as crushing depression. Bryan has, in recent years, directed his audacity toward saving humanity from our greatest threats – extinction level risks such as climate change and artificial intelligence. And he’s been doing that with characteristic tenacity, iterating over and again on ideas, proposals, and plans. I’ve commented before on early versions of his vision for future intelligence. And I’ve offered criticisms too. Clearly, Bryan still isn’t satisfied. He continues to iterate on plans to save humanity. And more saliently, he is now cultivating social movement around such efforts. That leads to his new book, which you can download for free. Don’t Die, by Zero is an invitation, to you and me and humanity. It’s an invitation to join in and contribute however we can to formulating and pursuing plans – maybe even THE plan, if ever there could be such a thing. But it’s also not just a general vague invitation. It proposes a specific approach that, if successful, could have considerable benefits for you personally, in addition to those for humanity at large. Undoubtedly, many will chime in with their perspectives on the book. Some will praise it. Some will ridicule it. It’s provocative that way, intentionally so. My own contribution will stem from a perspective that overlaps with and diverges from Bryan’s in two ways. First, like Bryan, I was raised and educated in Mormon culture, became disillusioned with religion as a young adult, and then found new inspiration in technological evolution. Second, unlike Bryan, the new inspiration eventually rekindled my religiosity and renewed my enthusiasm for Mormonism. Before I continue, you should know that Don’t Die, by Zero is a fictional story with twists that I’m going to spoil. If you want to experience those twists emotionally, which I do recommend, then please stop here and come back after you’ve read the book. But if you’ve already read the book or don’t care about spoilers, let’s continue. Summary Chapter 1 introduces the narrator, Scribe, as he reflects on humanity’s past achievements and contemplates the potential for future technological advancements. On his last day on Earth, Scribe hopes that his notes will inspire solutions for global challenges. He discusses humanity’s future evolution and the need for swift adaptation. The chapter concludes with Scribe assembling a group of friends to plan for the future as his time wanes. In Chapter 2, a diverse group of friends gathers at Scribe’s home for a weekend reunion, each displaying unique quirks. Farm Boy arrives punctually early, Model Builder secures the best room ahead of time, and Blueprint, a newer friend, has distinct needs. Self Critical and Game Play arrive together, Seeks Authority and Self Harm join late, and Cognitive Bias appears unwell. This chapter establishes the backdrop of the reunion, emphasizing the friends’ distinct personalities and hinting at brewing tension. Chapter 3 reunites Scribe and his friends, including Dark Humor, Blueprint, and Game Play. Dark Humor hints at Scribe’s impending death without direct discussion. Blueprint focuses on measuring UV levels, and Game Play delves into the philosophy of life, death, and games. Devil May Care expresses a desire for a new adventure. The chapter explores themes of mortality, purpose, and the unique dynamics among friends, culminating in an important meeting hinted by Scribe. Chapter 4 sees the protagonist gathering friends, revealing their impending death, and asking what they would do if today were their last day. After individual reflections, a discussion with Seeks Authority about control and decision-making ensues. Seeks Authority shares his choice to place his conscious mind in ‘purgatory.’ The chapter ends with a solemn reunion, exploring themes of mortality, control, and the conscious mind’s role in decision-making, with mentions of Mormon theology. Chapter 5 features a group discussion about their responses to the question of what they would do if they were dying, exploring various perspectives on self-harm for survival. The group debates the ethics of sacrificing for a greater goal, delving into the value of life and differing priorities. They recognize the urgency of addressing global challenges and discuss the importance of diverse perspectives in finding innovative solutions. The chapter ends with the group contemplating collaboration and innovative problem-solving for pressing global issues. Chapter 6 sees Scribe gathering the group to discuss automation’s impact on free will, led by Blueprint’s vision of enhancing the human body and mind with automation. They explore the Autonomous Body concept, aiming for improved health through data-driven enhancements. The group debates the alignment problem and parallels in automation fields, envisioning a future where automation optimizes human energy and cognitive evolution. The chapter closes with the group preparing for lunch and Blueprint’s unique dietary preferences, highlighting the challenges and benefits of automation in human life. Chapter 7 centers on a group facing the idea of surrendering dietary control to an optimizing algorithm, the ‘Blueprint protocol.’ As they debate this, various perspectives emerge, including Devil May Care’s hunger paradox, Model Builder’s concerns about AI decisions, Cognitive Bias questioning health and virtue, Game Play’s autonomy concerns, and Farm Boy’s challenge to the prevailing belief about adventure. The chapter delves into philosophical and ethical questions around autonomy, control, and health while sharing a unique meal experience orchestrated by Scribe. Chapter 8 explores a philosophical debate on human consciousness and exploration. Blueprint argues for demoting human cognition in favor of automation, while Cognitive Bias advocates for promoting the conscious mind. The discussion raises questions about the limits of human cognition and the future of exploration beyond the physical world, emphasizing the importance of knowledge. The characters delve into the complexities of the human mind and the role of consciousness in shaping experiences. Chapter 9 delves into a philosophical debate about demoting the conscious mind in favor of physiological factors influencing decision-making. Blueprint argues for deferring to physiological rhythms in various decisions, drawing analogies from literature and psychology. The discussion delves into questions of agency, moral responsibility, and making self-agreements for decision-making. Blueprint suggests recognizing cognitive peaks and troughs throughout the day for a more fulfilling life. Chapter 10 features a profound philosophical discussion among the characters about the possible end of the world and the consequences of automating decision-making and demoting the conscious mind. They explore differing views on the severity of this scenario, with some characters expressing optimism in human innovation and others harboring a more pessimistic outlook. The chapter concludes on a humorous note as Zero unexpectedly joins the discussion without introduction. Chapter 11 delves into Blueprint’s idea of time travel to the future as a means of addressing humanity’s challenges. He emphasizes the need to act now for the greater good of the future and challenges perceptions of irreversible biological aging. The chapter explores philosophical concepts regarding time, human behavior, and the implications of Blueprint’s thought experiment. Additionally, it introduces an unexpected guest, Depression, who surprises the characters upon their return to the house. Chapter 12 sees Depression’s unexpected return, sparking varied reactions among the characters. Dark Humor adds levity to the tense situation with humor. The group discusses Depression’s potential evolutionary role, with Blueprint suggesting it fosters group cohesion, while Zero likens it to a necessary component in the balance of personality traits. The chapter ends with Zero inquiring about the characters’ ages, exploring Depression’s intricate connection to human behavior and group dynamics. Chapter 13 delves into Blueprint’s exploration of age reversal and programmable biology. He connects depression’s impact on aging and envisions a future where humans control their bodies and minds through advanced technology. The chapter speculates on the transformative possibilities of printing proteins and manipulating biology. The characters debate the potential commodification of age, echoing themes from the film ‘In Time,’ while contemplating the philosophical and ethical implications of future human existence. In Chapter 14, the protagonist, known as BP, explores the role of suffering and its potential for personal growth. He recounts his shift away from a religious worldview and how it reshaped his outlook. BP also discusses his pursuit of anti-aging and health solutions, initially dismissed as improbable. This chapter features a diverse group engaging in philosophical discourse, with some members pursuing separate activities. Overall, it emphasizes themes of transformation, truth-seeking, and the myriad perspectives and possibilities in life. Chapter 15 sees the remaining group engaging in a philosophical discussion about humanity’s future and challenges. They introduce the concept of ‘pebbles’ to address social issues within the group. Model Builder questions Blueprint’s theory and whether it demotes or promotes the conscious mind. Zero offers insights into Blueprint’s theory and emphasizes solving humanity’s problems through advanced intelligence. The chapter ends with a commitment to write a ‘Plan for Humanity,’ driven by the importance of collective action and addressing global challenges.