Most Israeli Jews think of themselves first as Israelis and second as Jews. Regarding the Jewish diaspora, they generally believe that one of Israel’s core purposes, the Zionist mission, is to provide a safe haven for Jews. While I disagree with the actions of the current Israeli government, I subscribe to this belief myself. I … Continue reading
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Apple / Avram's Past / Intel
Apple at 50 — A Tribute to the Genius and Tenacity of Steve Jobs
Apple turned out to be the most influential computer company since IBM and it continues. So while we celebrate its 50th year, we need to take amount to recognize the genius of the man who was responsible for that, Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs entered my life in 1982 and remained a recurring presence—sometimes directly, sometimes … Continue reading
Let’s think of the people
I am thinking of my friends and family in Israel and hoping they stay safe. I am think of the people of Iran and wishing that they can soon enjoy the freedom and peace they so deserve.I have mixed emotions about the attack on Iran by Israel and the USA. But no mixed emotions about … Continue reading
Turning Silver into Gold-The Inversion of the Population Pyramid
I was recently interviewed by a newspaper in Genoa about an idea I’ve been developing—“Turning Silver into Gold.” Almost every developed nation in the world, with the notable exception of Israel, now has a birth rate below replacement level. Italy’s fertility rate is about 1.18 children per woman, far below the 2.1 needed to sustain … Continue reading
Italy and Me: A Cultural Struggle
I first went to Italy in 1969 and fell in love with the country then. Over the years, I must have visited twenty or thirty times. I used to joke that in my next life I would return as an Italian, because I thought Italians are like Jews but without the guilt. Last year, my … Continue reading
Rethinking My Only Meeting with Jeffrey Epstein
I met Jeffrey Epstein exactly once, over breakfast at the Carlyle Hotel in New York in 1998. What I remember most is how boring he was. He seemed distracted, almost uninterested in the conversation. I chalked it up to a bad meeting and moved on. It was only years later, after the full scope of … Continue reading
I Will Not Allow Antisemitism to Steal My Humanity
The months since October 7, 2023 have changed something in the world as well as something in me. The barbaric attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians shook Israel to its core. Families murdered. Women assaulted. Hundreds taken hostage. I spoke almost daily with friends in Israel. The grief in their voices was raw. The fear was … Continue reading
Longevity: The Roles of Genetics and Lifestyle
For years, I accepted the conventional wisdom that genetics accounts for less than 30% of human lifespan. I never really questioned that figure, and in retrospect, that’s a little embarrassing. But I was hardly alone. Those numbers were widely repeated, rarely examined, and neatly aligned with a popular narrative: that lifestyle choices largely determine our … Continue reading
Longevity in Your 40s
A new friend in Lecce recently asked me for advice about longevity. He was surprised by what he perceived as my relative youth. Others who know that I’ve worked in the field of longevity for years sometimes ask for my “secret.” I usually joke that the secret was choosing the right parents. That joke is … Continue reading
Brain Tech 60 years later
There is a growing interest in coupling technology with the human brain, from devices that monitor brain activity and help relax or stimulate the mind, to the more ambitious goal of creating high‑speed connections between brains and computers. This year, CES in Las Vegas made it clear that brain technology is becoming one of the … Continue reading
Two Thirds Done 