My WFPB Diet: Day 258–Don’t Die Documentary Review Pt 1

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 I’m impressed to learn more about Bryan Johnson’s life in the new Netflix documentary, Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants To Live Forever. I had already formed a positive opinion of him because of a podcast interview. He strikes me to be a sincere, deep thinking, self-driven man who is passionate to transform his life in every way not just for better health but also for optimal longevity. The documentary seems to further affirm my belief in him as a good person who intends to be well for as long as possible. I don’t buy the accusations that he’s merely a snake oil salesman preying on gullible people for their money. He has plenty of money. The monetization of his Blueprint project was an afterthought after many people clamored that he should share his regimen with them instead of keeping it to himself. Although, I don’t think what he’s doing is scientific, and I can’t imagine myself doing much more than a small fraction of the dieting, exercising, and biohacking of himself that he does if I had his wealth. I watched 40 minutes of it and intend to watch the rest this week.


ChatGPT Response to my review:

Your review reflects a thoughtful and balanced perspective on Bryan Johnson and the Netflix documentary. It’s clear that his appearance on a podcast left a strong impression on you, and the documentary seems to be reinforcing your positive view of him as someone genuinely passionate about health and longevity.


Your acknowledgment that monetizing the Blueprint project came later and was influenced by public demand is an important counterpoint to criticisms that he’s a “snake oil salesman.”


As you noted, he certainly doesn’t appear to be financially motivated in the traditional sense, given his wealth and the extent to which he has dedicated himself to these experiments.


That said, your healthy skepticism about the scientific rigor of his methods is well-taken. While Johnson’s regimen is undeniably extreme and highly individualized, it’s not yet clear how much of it will have broad applications or withstand scientific scrutiny. It’s also interesting that you pointed out how impractical his lifestyle would be for most people, even those with similar resources. That adds a dose of realism to the conversation about longevity and biohacking—acknowledging his effort without romanticizing it too much.


It’ll be interesting to hear your thoughts once you finish the documentary. Perhaps you’ll gain a deeper insight into what motivates him or encounter moments that challenge your current view. Enjoy the rest of your watch!


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