For centuries charlatans have proselytized "longevity" while being in an unfriendly world.Despite the irrationality, the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon was remembered for his futile "Fountain of Youth" pursuit . More recently, functional medicine , theories of aging and even hucksters are pursuing better aging by promoting their various wares and their secrets. And today, it’s not surprising that AI billionaires are in the transformation.
A pertinent article titled "The Quest To Reverse Aging" was found in the May 10,2026 edition of the New York Times. In this article, the focus, in part, was on a number of longevity experiments that included a rejuvenation of cells in mice which prolonged life in the laboratory and a search for cures like cancer.
Existentially, we are a mere isolated speck in the universe . Psychologically ,that paradox is anxiety related as individuals are on a quest in desiring not only to make one's life matter but also to find a meaning for one’s life. That outcome often results in becoming good at something and /or a merging of self with another-something greater and a denial of mortality .
Additionally, a merging of self with another is related to man's separateness which arouses terror-anxiety. In fact, the deepest need for man is to overcome his separateness ,his aloneness and isolation .Man has been very “ creative” in attempting to overcome separateness, transcending his own individual life, finding meaning and denying death .
Many years ago, man’s anxiety from isolation was “lessened” with religion . He merged , spiritually, with a belief in God, to overcome the anxiety related to his separateness .And it did not matter if he was a slave, poor, evil, a tyrant, a criminal, ruthless, or even sadomasochistic . Because , with purgatory ,salvation, repentance and faith in Jesus Christ he could become loved eternally in heaven.
Briefly, a few other ways of overcoming and/or escaping from the anxiety associated with separateness relates to induced trance, sexual orgasms, drugs, alcohol , sports, political , government and group associations. Many of these avenues are not only short lived and they do not “fix”the existential crisis of finding meaning,alleviating anxiety, or solving the reality of aging or death.
With capitalism and its technology , modern man has pursued power, possession, status, and now AI as its new God to solve his existential existence .
About 6,ooo years ago ,man turned to one God to deal with the terror of living and was able to transcend it by becoming ,identifying and becoming dependent on that supreme being.But, over time, man has fulfilled that dependency, separation anxiety need by being with another, thus replacing God. A romantic love object became the desire, the ideal to fulfill one's life and to meet all one's needs within his existential state.
The love object has been deified in poetry, music, novels , art and movies and can be characterized by a hunger for the experience or a serious emotional yearning for such. For instance love song lyrics strive as being of divine perfection, being wonderful, sexual objects, devotion, ecstasy, all encompassing resulting in transcendence, a merging with another . A Hindu song provides an example "my lover is like God, if he accepts me ,my existence is.utilized. "Love" , a dependency ,is based on separation anxiety, and the illusion that it results as a solution for man's existence .
Although romantic love in marriage and unions have terrible statistics, the behaviors still exist. Man can and does not find a solution for his existence in love , marriage and unions because of some of the following interpersonal characteristics found in these relationships. Briefly: 1. A husband or wife is often the replacement or rebellion against one's parents 2. There's a discrepancy between unconscious and conscious sexual desires and gratification-fulfillment of desires 3. There’s variations in coitus along with frigidity or impotence. 4. Expectations and degree of love felt are likely overestimates and illusions 5. Too many personal and professional sacrifices result in affecting one's independence or becoming a slave. This compromise results in disillusionment ,buried hostility ,distrust ,disappointments that interfere with monogamy 6. Others become objects of love as one seeks new love objects when sex becomes tiresome and boring 7. The offspring gets more warmth, care ,empathy and tenderness 8. Dread of not being able to satisfy is biologically the male as he must prove himself again and again-masculinity 9. Imperfections don't change over time and become more visible .And, one cannot possibly fulfill all the other's needs. 10. The ability to support ,lifelong companionship , fidelity and sexual cooperation becomes a tremendous burden placed on those two individuals.
Essentially, no human being can be godlike and everything to another. Looking for that "perfect human object", looking for someone who will allow us to express our will completely without any frustration is unrealistic. The object reflects the ideal image of ourselves and no human being can accomplish this. Everyone has wills ,counter wills, moves against and with actions that offend .Everyone has imperfections and these shortcomings become major threats.
Importantly, fear, hate and greed are primitive emotions associated with humans. However, being human is man's ability to develop his powers of reason and love. Is AI going to further the ability of man in becoming more human and solve his problem of existence ? Should we become disobedient to the propaganda of the ruling class of AI billionaires like Musk, Huang, Wang ,Altman and others? Disobedience is saying "no" to these powerful men while utilizing our intellectual capacity. as their passion is clear.
Years ago Adler hypothesized that it was empathy, concern for society and human welfare that directed behavior . However,these narcissists are characterized by fear,hate and their insatiable greed. Their actions and their monetary accumulation depicts their primitive emotions and devotion to idol worship. Their insatiable greed cannot ever be fulfilled.
AI is going to replace many humans in the workplace. However, AI cannot replace human innovation, creativity , curiosity and imagination, nor can it provide meaningful mutual interactions with actual emotional empathy, caring, respect or mutual organisms.
Larry Ellison "I don't want to die; I don't have to die." Are you going to be ruled ,subjugated and dominated by these, 42%will eventually develop dementia over age 55 and technology has no answer. How many of these billionaires are going to become dementia free? Add Ai to the threat of global warming, and nuclear war. How much time is left on the Doomsday Clock?
Man has developed many actions in dealing with the anxiety from his aloneness. Some strategies work better than others but some have very bad consequences. Further, the reality of our mortality is clear as we all are going to pass. It makes sense to use our intellectual capacity of reason, an understanding of our primitive emotions, and employing humanistic ethics while navigating our short time in this galaxy.
PS
The best choices for optimum health have to do with vigorous exercise , a nutritional diet, affiliation, intellectual and work productivity while living in reality.
Reference
Becker, Ernest. The Denial of Death .
Horney,Karen. Feminine Psychology.
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