Zeroism

by Bryan Johnson

The future is here. It's hiding in plain sight. Who can spot it?

In the 21st century, humanity faces three existential risks. Artificial intelligence is improving faster than we can comprehend and in ways we cannot predict. The biosphere of our planet is in question, and we humans are dangerously at each other’s throats. For the first time in history, we cannot look to the past to accurately model the future. Where then can we find answers?

Introducing Zeroism. Zeroism embraces what we do not know, what we cannot see, and acting courageously, nonetheless. It is the underlying philosophy that steers Blueprint, the Autonomous Self, and DON’T DIE. It’s a philosophy that will serve a society that advances, not by each funeral, but at the speed at which it rejuvenates.

Bryan Johnson is an entrepreneur and explorer of the new frontiers of being human. Johnson took stock of his health and realized that a decade of chronic depression and poor cognitive control earlier in life had affected every measure of his well-being. He decided it was time to evolve. Johnson’s controversial ideas and methods have attracted both detractors and devoted followers around the globe. In Zeroism, Johnson shares the philosophical principles that aim to help humanity choose a path forward into the future now.

Genres: Nonfiction

Audible Audio

Published September 10, 2024

Reviews

[Samuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reflecting on self preservation and self destruction in the last weeks. I sought the root cause in practicing more self-love and reduction of the destructive motives on the mind side.
This book offered a good perception on the ruthless yet simplified practice instead of endless psychology kicking oneself. Just go and do it. Yet he shows how people get stuck in their patterns anyway and don’t want to leave their lifestyles at any cost.
I personally don’t understand anymore, as, I too aim to practice self preservation and do it pretty well, without self control. The more I do, the more I want to do. It doesn’t make sense to harm myself.
So, it must be a good point of view for those who are scared to leave their destructive patterns. Yet, still - I believe those are just the symptoms. However this perception shows, maybe through practice, we can heal the root causes too. Still unclear to my perception :)

[Laura Visser · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I like how Bryan thinks, this was just the sales pitch for Blueprint. Sad, because I believed he was on to something, and I guess you need to become a member to get there.

[Serendipity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overly speculative but still a good read.

[Alexandru Somesan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short introduction to Bryan's messy early life and his radical change in terms of philosophy, mindset, and lifestyle. His Zeroism philosophy revolves around extending life as much as possible ("don't die"), surviving collectively in turbulent ecological and geo-political times, and using the continually evolving Al to support our goals (extending life, living well, etc.).

I dislike:
• The overselling of "don't die" — Death will come for all of us. Living well and healthy is surely a noble goal, but let's remain realistic.
• Self-promoting of his company, Blueprint. Marketed as "optimal products" but containing sweeteners, flavours, and other questionable ingredients. Also, his products are designed for Bryan specifically — not for the average person, through longitudinal studies on large sample populations.
• Al idealization: Al is just a tool in humanity's hands, and like all tools, it can be used for good or for bad. Just as social media algorithms are currently designed against your goals, so may AI be used more and more to create confusion, polarization, hate, impulsivity, and all the other bad things that will shorten life and its quality.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Brian Johnson and have seen many of his videos. I've also been following him on social media. This book doesn't really provide any new information, although it does have some details that I did not know about him. However, most of it is information that his followers would already know. The book is pretty small, but it is a nice afternoon read, so I would recommend it. It definitely contains some very powerful ideas about the future of humanity.

My edition contained some additional excerpts from other books by Brian. I was surprised that he is also writing fiction and that his fiction was actually quite good. I'm probably going to get his book "We The People" as well. There was also an excerpt from a children's book that he's written, which was quite nice and enjoyable. I was definitely surprised that he can write such nice fiction, at least from the perspective of a reader who doesn't typically read science fiction.

[Lui Ank · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ungefär 1 tim 45 min återberättar Bryan Johnson sitt liv innan han bestämde sig för att använda sina pengar och tid för att bättre förstå den mänskliga kroppen och slutligen se om han kan läka all den skada skräpmaten och de dåliga vanorna har åstadkommit under de senaste 40 åren.

För att göra detta ställer han sig frågan om vi är den första generationen att inte dö, med andra ord kallar han vår generation för ”gen 0”. Men för att vi ska kunna uppnå detta måste vi ändra våra vanor och prioritera sömn, träning och bra kost.

Att lyssna på den här boken var riktigt intressant och lärorikt. Speciellt i en tid då folk hellre väljer att köpa en hamburgare på mcdonalds än att stå att laga sin egen mat med riktiga ingredienser. Men vi lever också i en tid där den mentala hälsan är på botten för många ungdomar. Allt detta hänger ihop med hur vi lever och vad vi dagligen stoppar i oss.

[Jan Záhumenský · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and thought provoking.

[Jared Stivala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d recommend just starting with dont die

[KNCHNGL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stumbled upon Bryan Johnson a couple days ago on a podcast, which prompted me to read more about him, not just from clickbait articles, but from the source himself, in his own words, which is how I stumbled upon his book. Despite the vitriol surrounding him, it seems like you either like him or hate him - I found his perspective a refreshing framework to think about life, a philosophy for living.