HIGHLIGHTS: Venki Ramakrishnan

Longevity research currently faces a divide between scientific reality and speculative hype. Aging stems from the accumulation of molecular and DNA damage, which triggers cellular senescence and systemic dysfunction. While tech-driven perspectives often treat human biology as a "software" problem to be hacked, the analog nature of human physiology makes radical life extension highly improbable. Instead, the focus should shift toward increasing healthspan—the period of life spent in good health—rather than pursuing indefinite longevity. Practical strategies for healthier aging include maintaining a healthy weight and utilizing emerging pharmacological interventions like GLP-1 drugs. Sir Venki Ramakrishnan, a Nobel laureate in chemistry and author of *Why We Die*, emphasizes that while humans lack the biological capacity for immortality, managing age-related decline through rational, evidence-based health practices remains the most viable path forward.