Come join us for this TEDx viewing party at the Northbrook Public Library. Our theme for the night is "Can We Delay or End Aging?" Refreshments will be provided. All are welcome, but seating is limited to the first 100 attendees.
Post Event Recap:
After a brief introductory TEDx video, three TED Talks were screened:
- Researcher Aubrey de Grey, "A Roadmap to End Aging"
- Biochemist Cynthia Kenyon, "Experiments that Hint of Longer Lives"
- National Geographic Writer and Explorer Dan Buettner, "How to Live to Be 100+"
Aubrey de Grey’s “A Roadmap to End Aging”
One participant called him “a visionary”, who only gave us a taste of his knowledge. Others felt while his and Cynthia Kenyon’s messages provided hope for the future and helped change the way they thought about aging, that there weren’t many concrete steps individuals could take away from the presentations. Someone pointed out de Grey had a next step and that was funding and expanding research into methods of extending a healthy lifespan. It was also noted that he was the only presenter to mention that extending human lifespan could have a huge impact on the environment, food supply, and even the birth rate which are understandable concerns.
Cynthia Kenyon, "Experiments that Hint of Longer Lives"
Cynthia Kenyon’s video felt a bit like a science lesson, but an interesting one nonetheless! Her research on the possibility of extending life through a drug might present one solution, but she was quick to admit that these drugs are currently used to help prevent recipients from rejecting organ transplants by suppressing the immune system. We noted that this in a way echoed de Grey’s concerns about overpopulation: fixing one issue often causes more.
Dan Buettner, "How to Live to Be 100+"
People enjoyed that Buettner’s video spoke about everyday life, and that both the way we live and how our mindset is can lead to longer lives. One person remarked that even if his ideas didn’t increase your life span, they could increase the quality of your life at any age. Someone pointed out that he stressed the importance of low-impact physical exertion incorporated into your daily routine over specific workout regimes. But as she noted, working out makes her happy and she’s been doing it for decades, so doing what you enjoy also increases your quality of life. We also talked about his mention that many people who do live to be 100+ often have plant-based diets, which a few people in the crowd mentioned adhering to themselves. Someone else mentioned the time-old wisdom, “Moderation! Everything in moderation.”
Further Reading/Watching:
- Further writing by Aubrey de Grey available through the library
- Further writing by Dan Buettner available through the library
- Dan Buettner, "The Island Where People Forget to Die"
- Cynthia Kenyon: "The idea that ageing was subject to control was completely unexpected"
- Laura Carstensen, "Older People Are Happier"
1201 Cedar Lane
Northbrook Public Library
Northbrook, Illinois, 60062
United States
Organizing team
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Aaron Ashmann
Host/ co-organizer