I can’t help but feel like this is “protesting too much”.
While there are no guarantees in life, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are likely to have enormously positive impacts on your life and really don’t take that much of an investment in time or money (maybe 30min a day?).
And it’s not even clear there’s much of a “trade off”. Healthy people are generally happier, more productive, and more engaged in life than physically sick people.
I think it’s important not to create a false dichotomy between Bryan Johnson type obsessives vs people “enjoying life”. You don’t have to be a “spinach eating” gym rat to be healthy. You can get most of the benefits of an Attia type protocol without having it dominate your life or really having to sacrifice much at all.
I totally agree. I try to eat a reasonable diet but still like my burgers but maybe cut the fries. Plus I cycle and while I cycle I’m learning German, listening to educational podcasts, etc and am in very good shape for my age. I don’t think it’s either/or.
And when you eat in a mostly healthy way, the occasional indulgences are actually much more pleasurable. The burger washed down with a shake can be practically transcendent when it’s not a mindless habit.
Jared, I love your stuff, but this essay doesn't seem fully baked. Most people feel better when they're in shape and highly mobile. It's not just the years at the end that get affected by unhealthy habits -- you can be more energetic and impactful now if your health is good. Not to mention -- for many people, exercise feels awesome.
Agree with what you're saying in principle, but having had to manage the home care, financial and business affairs of my Father while he spent the final five years of his 85 year old life dying slowly and degradingly from vascular dementia which, arguably, could have been avoided if he'd made some different lifestyle choices over the prior 20 years, I'd take living to a ripe old age in good health over burdening my immediate Family and loved ones whilst dying a slow and degrading living death.
Be better Jared, this is not one of your best pieces. What you're saying is that you prefer one obsession over another. I'd rather bang my head against a wall than write for hours at a time. But, do as you please as you say. Or you can just be reasonable about fitness Jared - who doesn't have 45 minutes a day most days to devote to taking care of their bodies? To me this says a lot about a person. Most folks that I am familiar with who don't take reasonable care of themselves physically aren't very impressive in other areas of their lives either. It's all about balance, and it's not always easy to achieve. "Mens sana in copore sano" . Obviously to obsess about anything is unhealthy - and it seems you are suggesting that we pick an obsession and pursue our desired " greatness". No one is going to know or care about any of us 50 years from now - save perhaps a distant memory from a grandchild, so in that regard yes, we should all live our lives with a bit more urgency. As I like to say lately, "today is some day" .
Perhaps it is unhealthy to obsess on one thing, but the line between obsession and passion can be very thin sometimes. I agree with the premise that greatness requires sacrifice and a sort of monomania. What I have trouble with is the notion of doing something with the goal of being remembered when you're dead. Get famous while you're alive if it makes you happy. But, to be remembered after death, it would be so much easier to just change your name to something like Albert Einstein.
Jared, there is considerable evidence that both diet and exercise can have significant effects on mental and psychological well-being. Within your construct of prioritizing the mind and the writing, there may be an argument for a minimal exercise routine as helpful, rather than competing. There are some pretty good options that take 30 min two or three times per week, plus walking on the side.
As for P. Attia, whiile he seems to have good intent, some of his positions are not really supported, and others are certainly refutable. But as you've corrrectly surmised, one doesn't need to dive in deep to reap most of the benefits.
A small investment in time lifting weights and going for a jog in the fresh air and sunlight can pay off in multiples of that time in a healthy life. I’m not in the cult. We probably have a similar diet, and I smoke a pipe and drink on top of that. But I’m healthier than I’ve ever been after 50 while watching other people my age get old fast. It’s worth the investment. You’ll live longer and your mind will be sharper and you’ll leave more awesome work behind.
Life is not all or nothing, you can write books and also spend 150 minutes a week exercising. I mostly follow a Mediterranean diet BUT come a BBQ and I will eat hot dogs and burgers along with tequila and beer like everyone else. The point is do the "right thing 75%" of the time and you will get most of the benefit without stressing about the "off" days. As a relatively young person you seem to accept (...even celebrate?) the health decline over the last five years as trade off to publishing books which I find disheartening. We each have our own choices to make but avoid the all or nothing approach, live in the gray 75% area. I would be happy with 4 books published instead of 5, along with better health. Life is never enough if you are healthy, so at 64 I definitely want another 17 years!
Hot dogs, quality ones, are delicious. The Italians and Europeans in general eat lots of cured meats and live longer than we do. Much of the longevity research is nonsense with cherry picked data. Highest SPAM consumption? Okinawa.
Some try to live forever. Others try to be remembered forever.
Both attempting to transcend death - one physically, the other symbolically. Both under the illusion that they can beat death somehow. As you say: "Nobody gets out alive."
Better to accept your eventual end in both. And then try to use what is left to live as long and full of a life as possible.
"Fame is mostly the applause of fools and those who aspire to fame are complete fools". And anyone who cares about being remembered in the future is another fool.
I can’t help but feel like this is “protesting too much”.
While there are no guarantees in life, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are likely to have enormously positive impacts on your life and really don’t take that much of an investment in time or money (maybe 30min a day?).
And it’s not even clear there’s much of a “trade off”. Healthy people are generally happier, more productive, and more engaged in life than physically sick people.
I think it’s important not to create a false dichotomy between Bryan Johnson type obsessives vs people “enjoying life”. You don’t have to be a “spinach eating” gym rat to be healthy. You can get most of the benefits of an Attia type protocol without having it dominate your life or really having to sacrifice much at all.
I totally agree. I try to eat a reasonable diet but still like my burgers but maybe cut the fries. Plus I cycle and while I cycle I’m learning German, listening to educational podcasts, etc and am in very good shape for my age. I don’t think it’s either/or.
100%.
And when you eat in a mostly healthy way, the occasional indulgences are actually much more pleasurable. The burger washed down with a shake can be practically transcendent when it’s not a mindless habit.
Also I sleep an hour less per night when I exercise so I get the time back.
Yes, and I also have so much more positive energy after working out. I’m much more productive in the long run.
Jared, I love your stuff, but this essay doesn't seem fully baked. Most people feel better when they're in shape and highly mobile. It's not just the years at the end that get affected by unhealthy habits -- you can be more energetic and impactful now if your health is good. Not to mention -- for many people, exercise feels awesome.
Agree with what you're saying in principle, but having had to manage the home care, financial and business affairs of my Father while he spent the final five years of his 85 year old life dying slowly and degradingly from vascular dementia which, arguably, could have been avoided if he'd made some different lifestyle choices over the prior 20 years, I'd take living to a ripe old age in good health over burdening my immediate Family and loved ones whilst dying a slow and degrading living death.
Just my opinion from my recent lived experience.
Brother, another great insightful essay.
Like most of us the guy is sometimes full of shit but this one hit me where I live. Thanks long haired author dude! You made me think!
Be better Jared, this is not one of your best pieces. What you're saying is that you prefer one obsession over another. I'd rather bang my head against a wall than write for hours at a time. But, do as you please as you say. Or you can just be reasonable about fitness Jared - who doesn't have 45 minutes a day most days to devote to taking care of their bodies? To me this says a lot about a person. Most folks that I am familiar with who don't take reasonable care of themselves physically aren't very impressive in other areas of their lives either. It's all about balance, and it's not always easy to achieve. "Mens sana in copore sano" . Obviously to obsess about anything is unhealthy - and it seems you are suggesting that we pick an obsession and pursue our desired " greatness". No one is going to know or care about any of us 50 years from now - save perhaps a distant memory from a grandchild, so in that regard yes, we should all live our lives with a bit more urgency. As I like to say lately, "today is some day" .
Perhaps it is unhealthy to obsess on one thing, but the line between obsession and passion can be very thin sometimes. I agree with the premise that greatness requires sacrifice and a sort of monomania. What I have trouble with is the notion of doing something with the goal of being remembered when you're dead. Get famous while you're alive if it makes you happy. But, to be remembered after death, it would be so much easier to just change your name to something like Albert Einstein.
Jared, there is considerable evidence that both diet and exercise can have significant effects on mental and psychological well-being. Within your construct of prioritizing the mind and the writing, there may be an argument for a minimal exercise routine as helpful, rather than competing. There are some pretty good options that take 30 min two or three times per week, plus walking on the side.
As for P. Attia, whiile he seems to have good intent, some of his positions are not really supported, and others are certainly refutable. But as you've corrrectly surmised, one doesn't need to dive in deep to reap most of the benefits.
Ricky Gervais. My doc said that if I quit smoking and drinking I'll live 10 years longer. I said which 10 years? 20-30? 50-60? 80-90? Screw that...
A small investment in time lifting weights and going for a jog in the fresh air and sunlight can pay off in multiples of that time in a healthy life. I’m not in the cult. We probably have a similar diet, and I smoke a pipe and drink on top of that. But I’m healthier than I’ve ever been after 50 while watching other people my age get old fast. It’s worth the investment. You’ll live longer and your mind will be sharper and you’ll leave more awesome work behind.
Life is not all or nothing, you can write books and also spend 150 minutes a week exercising. I mostly follow a Mediterranean diet BUT come a BBQ and I will eat hot dogs and burgers along with tequila and beer like everyone else. The point is do the "right thing 75%" of the time and you will get most of the benefit without stressing about the "off" days. As a relatively young person you seem to accept (...even celebrate?) the health decline over the last five years as trade off to publishing books which I find disheartening. We each have our own choices to make but avoid the all or nothing approach, live in the gray 75% area. I would be happy with 4 books published instead of 5, along with better health. Life is never enough if you are healthy, so at 64 I definitely want another 17 years!
Your perspective about those 17 years will change. When you are 60 you'll still be thinking 17 years will do me.
At 73 I'm thinking 17 years will do me; rhet is no way I'm giving up some butter and cream or taking statins for 3 extra years in a nursing home.
I enjoy a hot dog.
Hot dogs, quality ones, are delicious. The Italians and Europeans in general eat lots of cured meats and live longer than we do. Much of the longevity research is nonsense with cherry picked data. Highest SPAM consumption? Okinawa.
Some try to live forever. Others try to be remembered forever.
Both attempting to transcend death - one physically, the other symbolically. Both under the illusion that they can beat death somehow. As you say: "Nobody gets out alive."
Better to accept your eventual end in both. And then try to use what is left to live as long and full of a life as possible.
I feel that you and attia are more aligned than you think and the real boogeyman is Bryan Johnson
a trainer who cosigns, I do it because I love it and teach my clients who are busy with their passions how to do the bare minimum
>Nobody would remember their name.
"Fame is mostly the applause of fools and those who aspire to fame are complete fools". And anyone who cares about being remembered in the future is another fool.