Entrepreneur Bryan Johnson has been making headlines for his ambitious quest to conquer death. For nearly five years, he has been working on “Project Blueprint,” an initiative aimed at extending human life indefinitely. Johnson, who is known for his ventures in technology and business, believes that overcoming death will be humanity’s greatest achievement. His recent social media posts even hint at founding a new religion called “Don’t Die,” which he claims will save humanity and lead to an extraordinary existence.
While Johnson’s ideas might seem extreme, they echo themes explored by two of the 20th century’s most celebrated authors: J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Both writers warned against the dangers of seeking immortality, even if their works are not typically categorized as dystopian fiction.
Tolkien, famed for “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” incorporated deep themes about life and death into his stories. He illustrated the consequences of desiring eternal life through the history of Middle-earth. In his tales, Elves are granted immortality, while Men receive what Tolkien termed the “gift” of death. Over time, Men grew fearful of death, leading to a desperate, often tragic, struggle to cling to life. This fear warped their understanding of life and death, causing them to forsake their dignity in pursuit of a few more years.
One of Tolkien’s cautionary tales involves Ar-Pharazôn, the last king of Númenor. Driven by his fear of death, he became a pawn of Sauron, the dark figure from Tolkien’s lore. Sauron preyed upon Ar-Pharazôn’s fears and led him to worship Melkor, a malevolent entity. This misguided quest for immortality resulted in madness, human sacrifice, and ultimately, the destruction of Númenor.
C.S. Lewis, a close friend of Tolkien, also addressed the theme of immortality in his lesser-known novel, “That Hideous Strength.” The book follows a young sociologist named Mark Studdock, who becomes entangled with a group of scientists and bureaucrats obsessed with conquering death. They envision creating a new kind of human who would be free from the limitations of nature. The narrative critiques the moral implications of such ambitions, suggesting that the quest for immortality could lead to tyranny and suffering rather than salvation.
Both authors shared a Christian belief in eternal life, but they emphasized that this life is a gift from God, not something to be seized by human efforts. In their view, the pursuit of immortality outside of divine grace is ultimately futile and dangerous.
As Johnson continues his quest to defy death, it raises questions about the implications of such pursuits. The warnings from Tolkien and Lewis serve as a reminder of the potential consequences of trying to escape the natural order of life and death. Their insights resonate today, encouraging reflection on what it means to live a meaningful life within the bounds of mortality.