What did people of 2000 years ago know of our time? Today, circa 2008, in a world of technological capabilities that would appear magical to our distant ancestors, falling rates of violence (perhaps the lowest in recorded human history), gradual changes in birth and death rates, an unprecedented selection of religions to choose from, and the likely advent of life and minds created artificially by humankind…in this modern world, platitudes from distant lands and times can do little more than compete with other traditional guides for common sense, values, and morality. I prefer a debate grounded in today, with at most a cursory review of reference material from the distant past.

Jesus allegedly weighed in with a metaphor, but much more relevant to the current discussion about radical life extension is the participation of modern humans - scientists, policy makers, and citizens alike.