Since the dawn of time people have been trying to find the Fountain of Youth: discover the secrets of anti aging to look young and stay healthy forever. As a matter of fact, people’s efforts to extend human life and fight aging date as far back as 3500 B.C. Immortality has always had such an enigmatic appeal to people of different nations and nationalities.
Throughout the centuries famous people like Ponce de Leon, Spanish explorer who discovered Florida and was a governor of Puerto Rico, Alexander the Great, a king of Macedon, and many others were looking for the Fountain of Youth that would provide rejuvenation and possibilities for eternal life.
In the 20th century there have been a lot of incredible inventions and discoveries that changed the face of Earth and human life forever. Here are just a few to mention: radio, phone, the automobile, television, nuclear power, personal computer, the Internet, the airplane, rocketry, antibiotics etc.
Now living in the 21st century, the age of the latest technologies, are we getting any closer to discovering the secret of immortality? There have been a few scientific approaches to immortality in the recent years that are quite interesting, promising and shocking at the same time.
Immortality Theory #1: Cybernetic Immortality
This theory has been featured on Discovery News Channel as well as on ABC News and talked about this young Russian billionaire, Dmitry Itskov, whose dream is to achieve cybernetic immortality for humans by 2045.
He teamed up with dozens of scientists who will work on his immortality project and will use especially created avatars to transfer human personality into artificial body.
Together with his team he created a 4 step plan on how to achieve eternal life by 2045.
1. Step 1 will include creating a robotic copy of a human body which can be controlled by a brain-computer interface from 2015 to 2020.
2. During step #2 starting in 2020, a specially designed avatar will be created to transplant a human personality into by the end of the project (2045).
3. From 2030 to 2035 (step #3) the scientists will be working on creating an avatar that will contain an artificial brain.
4. During the last step of this project which will start in 2040 and end in 2045 a hologram-like avatar will have a human brain.
This cybernetic immortality project is based on utilizing cutting-edge technologies in android robotics, nanotechnology and neuroscience for “building a bright future for mankind”.
Not sure if a lot of people would be thrilled by the idea to become a new cyber human being – a walking hologram with brain – that will have much higher survival abilities of withstanding extreme external conditions such as radiation, cold, heat, lack of oxygen, etc.
But you never know… Considering the fact that we are low level cyborgs already. We are using computer controlled technologies for almost everything these days from doing maths and simulation to exploring the edges of the Universe, from utilizing microscopes to using pacemakers. Isn’t that true?
Only the time will show whether this project will be successful or not, but for now, it sounds like another science fiction movie to me.
Immortality Theory #2: Reprogramming Our Bodies
The 63-year old American scientist by name Ray Kurtzweil truly believes that immortality will be possible in just 20 years from now. His theory is based on the latest discoveries of nanotechnology and better understanding on how the human body works.
By the way, if you are not familiar with the term “nanotechnology”, the easiest definition for it I found on www.nano.gov website. It describes nanotechnology as “science, engineering and technology conducted at the nanoscale”. Just to give you an idea of how small a nanometer is: one nanometer is a billion of a meter (!).
This means that nanotechnology deals with study and application of extremely small things like atoms and molecules in various science fields like chemistry, engineering, physics etc. Nanotechnology is a new way of looking at things and controlling them at an atomic and molecular level.
So, back to Ray Kurzweil who believes that in 20 years we will be able to reprogram our bodies “primitive software” the way that we can reverse aging and with the help of nanotechnology we will be able to live forever. He based his theory on the facts that medical and computer technology have been accelerating at an incredible rate and with the help of nanotechnology it will be possible to replace many of the human vital organs.
Human blood cells will be replaced by nanobots which will work thousand times more effectively. Getting vital organs replaced will be just a minor surgery for humans and having bionic hearts and other organs will give them an opportunity to do things we have never thought would be possible. Holograms will be popping up in our brain whenever we need it to give us all the necessary information.
Remember the movie “Limitless”? How about being able to write a book in 15 minutes or learn a foreign language in one day or run faster than we ever could? Would not that be incredible? Going to Paris for a business trip next week? How about learning French in 1 day?
Ray Kurzweil also suggests that virtual sex will become common practice.
I don’t know though if humankind wants to sign up for all that. What do you think? Are you ready to become a cyborg in an exchange for an eternal life? Or you’d rather lead a healthy lifestyle which includes healthy eating and exercising and extend your longevity that way?
What are your thoughts on immortality?
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Twitter: googlai
Hi Elena Moiseenko !
Thank you for sharing a interesting topics. have you ever think about your death? i don’t want to think it because there is always fears beyond your life. your article help to know the depth knowledge about death and life. life is nothing and we are waiting a and counting a day of our end moment. am i right. as a young guy, i never thought about my mortality but one day will come and i will also become my late grand father.
Thank you again.
i have one suggestion to you. before you die you have to visit this art of living.
http://googma.blogspot.com/2012/12/earth-body-mind-kiaf-2012.html
Googma Sansar recently posted..Earth Body Mind Kiaf 2012
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Hello Googma,
I agree with you. It is a very interesting and enigmatic topic for discussion. We all should think about our purpose in life and what we are going to leave as a heritage for our children. Thanks for stopping by!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Really Funny Christmas Joke
HI Elena,
Amazing and wounderfull information i have read here.So human cell gonna be change by nanoboats in next 20 years .
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Yes, this is pretty amazing, isn’t it? Almost something that you would see in a science fiction movie and would never think it’s possible in the real life. Thanks for checking out my article!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Really Funny Christmas Joke
wow, very informative information by the way, thanks for sharing.
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Hello Qaisar, I am glad you enjoyed my article. Thanks for stopping by!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Best Money Saving Tips in Retirement
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Hey Elena,
Really interesting article, There is no doubt that our technology has improved and still improving though it certainly impossible to say that you could even become immortal.

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Hello Aasma,
I definitely agree with you. It’s hard to believe that immortality can be possible, but only time will show. We have never thought we would be able to go on a space ship to other planets just 50 years ago, but it became a reality. Thanks for stopping by!
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Twitter: Rohitkabdwal
there is a dialog form a Hollywood movie “troy” starring bred pit : it goes like that
“ll tell you a secret. Something they don’t teach you in your temple. The Gods envy us. They envy us because we’re mortal, because any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we’re doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again. ”
I think the beauty of life is only because we are mortal., and the words written above says the rest..
comment if anybody is not agree..
Rohit kabdwal recently posted..How to Install Java in your Computer?
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Oh, wow Rohit! That is an awesome dialogue from the movie “Troy”! Now I remember it! You are absolutely right! Every moment in our life is precious and we should value it every day and the fact that we are mortal does not spoil that a bit. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Amazing Health Benefits of a Good Night Sleep
Immortality is kind of a scary thought. Although I don’t know if this could be considered immortality. At some point, the brain will age and die out unless science has advanced to the point of restoring cellular state. And there’s so many other questions.. Will we still be able to keep learning, or will we be frozen in the state that we died in? And when someone dies, how exactly do they remain in the world? Surely they can’t work, so how do they afford their dwelling? After a while, we just have massive amounts of past generations sitting around in a room ala Futurama, Haha. It’s all very fascinating, but I think the true immortality will present itself with the answer to the first question – how do we keep our brains alive? Once that’s answered, I’m sure it will spread to keeping ourselves alive.

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That is a really good point Joseph, keeping our brain alive will be quite challenging. Brain cells will age too, just like our body cells. I guess only the time will show. But I also agree with you on the question: what are we going to do with all those past generations? Thanks for your sharing your thoughts!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..6 Facts to Know About International Travel Insurance
wow, nice information. don’t know if some day we wil live longer but we have to keep trying
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Hello Joan,
I am sure we can extend our life span quite a bit if we try to. People used to live till 40 or 50, now an average life expectancy is over 70, so it’s quite possible. If you stick with a healthy lifestyle and low stress environment, you can live quite long and happy life. Please check out my “Healthy Lifestyle” section of the blog to find out some useful information on anti aging. Thanks a lot for stopping by!
Interesting stuff. What about Cryonics or cryogenic immortality (if that’s even a word) – which essentially refers to preserving the human body using extremely low temperatures. It’s been explored in a lot of sci-fi movies (Avatar, Demolition Man come to mind) and video games as well, and IMO is the closest we’ve come to achieving immortality. But yes, its certainly far from being a reality – well, unless of course you’re a vampire!
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Hi Jeff, it would be nice to stay here for a while and not to age too soon, but I would rather be a human than a vampire
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Best Money Saving Tips in Retirement
A very Nice post Elena, but till then end of the world it would be impossible to be immortal. aside, i love reading this article over and over..
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Thank you Babanature for your nice words! It means a lot to me! I did a lot of research on this article and thought everybody would enjoy this topic! Have a terrific day!
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I’ve heard about the nanotechnology idea before, and it seems quite possible (maybe not as soon as 20 years, but still not too long from now).
The cyborg thing I totally disapprove. I’d never opt for that, and I wouldn’t even include it into the “immortality” category, even if scientists do.
I believe the best type of immortality is that when you live through your work, through what you write during your life, through the memories of the ones that you helped throughout your life and also through the memory of their followers. It’s a different type of immortality of course, but I’d take this over becoming a cyborg at any time.
Great article Elena, found out so many new and interesting things reading it! Thanks!

Andrew recently posted..14 Reasons You Always Give Up New Year Resolutions
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Hello Andrew, very nice to hear your thoughts on the subject. I personally find the idea of mental immortality being much more valuable than physical immortality. We can live forever through our children, grandchildren, through the heritage we leave after we die. Very good point! Thanks for stopping by!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Making the Transition From Walking to Running
Twitter: etechmafia
I don’t believe in immorality,everyone has to die one day !
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Twitter: googlai
Hi Babanature ! I agree with your comment. Dont worry it will take more than four billions years to end this earth but our body may end probably less than hundred years. So that, be happy, be creative and constructive also. It will help to leave some legacy and your glory will remain with four billions years in this earth, it does not matter wheter your body within a moment.
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
That is a great observation Googma! Our legacy is the most important thing for our mental immortality!
Hi,
Interesting and informative article. I truly believe that we cannot beat nature, no matter how advanced equipments we have. Plus, it’s impossible to achieve immortality. People doing these types of researches should spend this money on human development. Anyway, Thanks Elena
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Even if immortality wasn’t a myth, I wouldn’t want it, imagine seeing your loved ones die before your eyes, generations after generations. You might live for ever but you will be a broken person
chakib benhalloum recently posted..How Marijuana Works
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I agree with you Chakib that seeing your loved ones die is not something you want to go through. Thanks for stopping by!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..6 Facts to Know About International Travel Insurance
This is really cool. Pretty soon we will be living life like that in sci if movies. Seeing the direction that technology takes a may be the single most alluring effect of immortality. When will flying cars and cyborg maids truly become a possibility, we’ll see!
Twitter: primejuicers
Hello Elena,
Fascinating topic! I don’t think we’re ready for it, eternal life as described that is. Actually, what I believe is that we are eternal anyway. We’re spiritual beings having a human experience. But, I still think it’s an interesting topic and interesting reading. What if we could live on this earth forever??? Hmmm…Thank you and Happy Holidays!
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Hi Rich, you are absolutely right about the fact that we are spiritual beings with our human experience and are eternal anyway. Very good insight. I am glad you enjoyed my article. Thank you and happy holidays to you too!
Hey Elena i did find your study fascinating because of the lengths people will take to avoid death. However im still going to trust that there is a master architect to this whole thing who we will a face one day.
Twitter: bhar
I do not think they will work. I think the only way to live longer is calorie controlled diet. But as far as immortality is concerned, it will never happen. But very interesting topic. I do hope something good thing will come out of these researches.
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Hello Shalu, I guess only time will show if it is possible to become immortal. For now it’s just a theory. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my article!
Twitter: nismionlevieth
Interesting post, really.
I think, immortality is something which human race always wanted. One way is ti produce something, like legend or myth, in this way your name will live for eternity. The other way, now, we will see.
nismion recently posted..A little Gaming (4) – Hitman:Absolution
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Hello Nismion, I agree with you on the fact that the best way to become immortal is to leave something that people will remember you for: a poem, a building, a song, children etc. If physical immortality is possible or not – only time will show. Meanwhile, let’s just enjoy our lives in full while it lasts
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Best Money Saving Tips in Retirement
Twitter: jksingh99
Hi Elena,
Very informative post with a technological bend to it. However, theory 1 seems unsuitable to humans, in my opinion. Only a hologram and no feelings, or emotions to go along with, that would pretty un-human. Humans are known for their emotions which hardly any other species displays.
I do agree with the second theory, though. It seems more plausible and retains the basic human structure, only making it more invincible. There are mass underground projects and trials happening in US as we speak. Many people have been experimenting the effect of chips and electromagnetic devices inside their bodies. Maybe, the day is not far away, when we have cyborgs roaming between us.
Liked this post.
Regards
Jay

Jay recently posted..Stop living like a Zombie
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Hi Jay, thank you so much for your feedback. This topic definitely makes all us think about our existence and what is going to happen in the future. I agree with you that the second theory sounds more realistic. Thanks for stopping by!
I’m not sure cyborgs count as immortality. I don’t know if anyone else notices, but technology tends to become obsolete fast. That could be a fate worse than death.
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Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
You are right Robert! Being a cyborg is not quite like being a human, that’s for sure. Thanks for checking out my article!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..6 Facts to Know About International Travel Insurance
If I could spend eternity with my loved ones, I’d embrace immortality. But if it means that I get to see some of my loved ones die while I live on far longer than them, then it makes me a bit sad.
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
I agree with you. No one wants to see the loved ones die and it would be too long of a life if you don’t have people you love in there. Thanks for stopping by!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Really Funny Christmas Joke
Nice article. With the fast development of technology no one can say immortality will not be possible in the near future.
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Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
I agree with you. The technology these days is amazing and we don’t know what life is going to be like in just 5-10 years. Thanks for checking out my article!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Best Money Saving Tips in Retirement
Honestly I can’t imagine why anyone would want to be apart of this world for an eternity with the direction that humanity is taking.. I mean look at the school children. Countless innocents murdered in cold blood.
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Yes, eternity is a long time and hopefully the world will get better, not worse in 10-20 years. Thanks for your insight!
Technology tends to become obsolete fast. That could be a fate worse than death.I’m not sure cyborgs count as immortality. I don’t know if anyone else notices.
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Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
That’s true. I would not count cyborgs as humans either. Thanks for stopping by!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Latest Fashion Trend in Menswear Straight from Paris
i wouldn’t even want to imagine being immortal and having everyone else not. it would be too hard. i would hate it.
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Twitter: CrackMeDown
Wow.. Its was really interesting to read on..! But going through the post what i felt is that Immortality will actually create chaos to the human nature and the ecosystem. So, if does happens i would be rather stand against the motion..
But then, in Movies it does looks great and i do loves sci fi movies…..

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Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Yes, we’d better think it through before we become immortal
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Crazy, Freaky and Fun Gothic Wedding Dresses
Twitter: OddRandomThots
Honestly Elena, I believe there’s something to living your turn and then departing and making room for others. What I mean is, I think immortality is something that sounds neat, but it’s really against the laws of nature.
We’re all given our chance here on earth to accomplish what we can with our time, then we must move on and give someone else a turn. If we all lived forever, the earth would never survive. This is just my take on it, but I truly did enjoy the article, a good dose of food for thought.

Robert recently posted..What’s all this Stuff About Stem Cells?
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Hello Robert, I am glad you enjoyed the article. I agree with everything you said. It’s important to make the best out of the time we have here and make it as meaningful as we can. Thanks for checking out my article!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Really Funny Christmas Joke
Twitter: TheWorldPack
There are many theory’s who now if someday we will be immortal but this theories sound problematic if we be robots we ain’t humans and in regards to nano-tech who now how long does the nano-bots last if i were a scientist studying immortality i would bet on the brain the best machine there is we work with only less then 20% of our brain if we had 100% maybe we could be immortal.
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Hello Nelson,
these are just theories and we can’t say for sure if they come true, but with the technologies and knowledge we have right now, everything is possible. Thanks for stopping by!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Crazy, Freaky and Fun Gothic Wedding Dresses
Thank you for sharing something really interesting like this. Really informative.
The successes of science make it possible for us to raise the banner of cybernetic immortality. The idea is that the human being is, in the last analysis, a certain form of organization of matter. This is a very sophisticated organization, which includes a high multilevel hierarchy of control. What we call our soul, or our consciousness, is associated with the highest level of this control hierarchy. This organization can survive a partial, perhaps, even a complete , change of the material from which it is built.
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Interesting thoughts on immortality… Thanks for sharing!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Best Money Saving Tips in Retirement
Twitter: healthy_start_
Nice article! While I would like to be able to write a book in 15 minutes, I don’t want nanobots (or any other bots) inside of me. I think, even if it were possible, most people would not want it. It’s too much change, too far out there, and most people would avoid having anything to do with it.
Then again, you never know! All it takes is some really good marketing and convincing, and if one person jumps on the bandwagon then everyone might! Just not me.

Kari recently posted..Get More Done In Your Workday
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
I agree Kari. The future will show what we are going to do with our bodies and our brain, but the state we are in right now is perfectly fine with me. Thanks for commenting!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Latest Fashion Trend in Menswear Straight from Paris
We certainly need to look into immortality soon. A future where people have incredibly long life spans and live on several planets is something I would love to see.
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Yes, you are right. It sounds like a science fiction right now, but who knows may be in just 20-30 years it will become a reality. Thanks for commenting!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Best Money Saving Tips in Retirement
“Immortality Theory”: These facts are looking more closer to fictional background and light years far away from reality.In today’s time there is no remedy or life style that can make a man immortal or long living.This is good only to read in books and fairy tales
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
I know Joy it sounds crazy right now but people never thought they would be able to fly an airplane just 100 years ago or go to another planet and it became a reality these days. It’s hard to believe it right now but the time will show. Thanks for checking out my article!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Amazing Health Benefits of a Good Night Sleep
I’ve read that immortality could be achieved if we could stop the oxidation of molecules in the cells of our body. Antioxidants in theory could add months to years onto your life within normal doses, and if the pharmacological companies released extremely high dose antioxidants that would be safe to humans, people who are naturally healthy and active could add decades onto their lives!
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Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
That’s a great point Franchesca! This could be one way to go towards immortality. May be most of us would not want to live forever, but extending our life span would be really nice, would not it? Thanks for stopping by!
Elena Moiseenko recently posted..Crazy, Freaky and Fun Gothic Wedding Dresses
Indeed, people confuse immortality to invulnerability. You’re not exactly doomed to live forever if you’re immortal. You’re still free to decide whatever you want, but with no time limits.
I can’t help but think that maybe it would be better if people did not live forever. If nobody died, how much longer could our planet sustain that population? I guess we can try to find new planets to inhabit, but that seems like a long way off.
Jared Adams recently posted..How to Get a Confession Thrown Out of Court
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Yes Jared, you are right. Immortality can create some new problems that we have never thought about. Thanks for stopping by!
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Twitter: spidolster
Life and death cycle is the rule of nature. If human try to break this rule, only bad thing will happen. My two cents.
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Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
You are right Ari, life and death cycle is the rule of nature and who are we to break it? Thanks for stopping by!
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Twitter: SoyKono
i think if you were inmortal you ll get bored of living
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its scary to think that people are so obsess about immortality, but at the same time its amazing how they can make the impossible to possible… so in the next 20 or 30 years people will have avatars. I wonder what kind of world would it be..
Twitter: HappyHealthyetc
Great point Alice! A lot of things became possible due to the new technologies and science, so we never know what to expect tomorrow. Thanks for checking out my article!
Elena recently posted..Five Vital Blood Tests Every Man Should Have
Twitter: surajramnani
Hi Elena,Very informative post…This makes me wonder..the saying ‘Nothing Is permanent’ might just be a myth too…
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Twitter: khanna_08
Very nice post from this i came to know that nothing is permanent in universe
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I think immortality is real, I am just not sure why we would want to bind ourselves to these non-perfected physical bodies nor to a machine. I think a third way that people are seeking eternal life, beyond the nano-tech and the transfer of consciousness to a machine is DNA modification, i.e. perfecting, or fixing what makes us our bodies work. That seems preferable to me, anyway.
Thanks for the informative article!
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You are absolutely right Jason! The answer is in perfecting our bodies and our minds. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my article!
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HELLO Elena
Thanks for this nice read. Ya immortality is the thing which I see only in movies till now. But who know what a technology made in future.After seeing the movie ‘Source code’, it seems a litle bit possible.
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