Why evolution designed us to die fast, & how we can change that – Jacob Kimmel

In this podcast episode, Dwarkesh interviews Jacob Kimmel, president and co-founder of New Limit, about the science of aging and potential interventions. They discuss evolutionary reasons for aging, including hazard rates, kin selection, and optimization constraints, drawing parallels to AI optimization. Jacob explains New Limit's approach to epigenetic reprogramming, using transcription factors to remodel the epigenome and revert cells to a younger state, while addressing potential deleterious effects. The conversation covers delivery methods for these therapies, such as lipid nanoparticles and viral vectors, and the potential for cell-based delivery systems inspired by the immune system. They also touch on the economics of drug development, Eroom's Law, and the potential for general-purpose models in biotech, drawing analogies to developments in machine learning.