How long do you want to live? The Immortalists say 'Forever!'

Tech titans, venture capitalists, crypto enthusiasts and AI researchers have turned longevity research into something between the hottest science and a tragic comedy, writes Ellen Huet

The possibility of living much longer — or forever — has inspired bioethicists and philosophers to ponder the prospect’s unexpected consequences.

WHEN a chipper person with a clipboard approaches you on the street in San Francisco, you can usually expect the inquiry to be about one of a few public policy goals.

Do you have time to talk about abortion rights? Housing? Online gambling ballot initiatives? These days, though, you might also hear a question that’s both more grandiose and more personal, the kind of thing you wouldn’t expect to hear from someone who looks like they want your signature. The question: How long do you want to live?