As readers of my blog know, I’m deeply interested in longevity. I helped establish the Longevity Center at Sheba Hospital (Tel Aviv University) in Israel, which I continue to advise. My interest spans both the biological science of aging and the economic implications of a world where more people live longer—potentially requiring support from a shrinking working-age population.

At 80, my curiosity about aging is also very personal.

I believe I’d be considered a super-ager, both mentally and physically. I’ve worked hard at this—regular exercise (physical and cognitive), a healthy diet, weight control, strong social engagement, and good sleep habits. I also closely monitor my body through regular lab tests and scans.

Am I losing my senses

While my mind and body remain strong, my senses are showing signs of age.

My hearing and vision have both diminished. I’ve resisted hearing aids (yes, vanity), though AirPods help in certain settings. My eyesight can no longer be corrected to 20/20. My right eye in particular is weak; I can’t read with it alone. Tests confirmed a cataract is to blame. I’ve had OCT imaging and other diagnostics—everything looks stable, but my eyes are simply getting old.

I’ve chosen to delay cataract surgery for now. I still see well with both eyes, and glasses have been part of my life since age 7—they’re part of my image. I’ve spoken to several people who regret their lens replacements. The risks feel unnecessary for now.

Maybe I’ll wait for AI glasses that help both hearing and sight.

That’s the big question I keep coming back to: Are we as old as our oldest part?

I see vibrant people struggling with hips, knees, or memory. Dementia becomes a real concern after 80—about 25–30% of people in their 80s have it, and that number climbs to almost 50% in their 90s. My father, incredibly fit and sharp into his 80s, developed dementia in his 90s. He passed away at 97.

We may conquer cancer, heart disease, and neurodegeneration, but the slow decay of joints or senses can still gut our quality of life.

What the Billionaire Longevity  Boys Club Is Doing

Many wealthy entrepreneurs are investing in longevity. If I had billions, I might do the same. They’re chasing breakthroughs—some realistic, some radical.

Here are the key figures and what they’re doing:

Name	Longevity Goal	Approach / Methods	Companies / Projects
Jeff Bezos	Reverse aging, extend lifespan	Biotech R&D on cellular reprogramming	Altos Labs, Unity Biotechnology
Bryan Johnson	Achieve biologically younger body & brain	Intensive self-tracking and data-driven protocol	Blueprint (his own project)
Peter Thiel	Radical life extension, possible immortality	Senolytics, parabiosis, cryonics	Unity Biotechnology, Alcor, Methuselah Foundation
Larry Ellison	Defeat aging as a disease	Large-scale research funding	Ellison Medical Foundation
Sergey Brin	Delay aging, prevent age-related disease	AI + biology, deep science R&D	Calico Labs
Larry Page	Add decades of healthy life	Biotech moonshots	Calico Labs
Elon Musk	Extend brain and human potential	Brain-machine interface (not focused on aging per se)	Neuralink
Sam Altman	Add 10+ years of healthy life for all	Reprogramming, immune rejuvenation	Retro Biosciences
Christian Angermayer	Extend life, enhance mental and physical health	Psychedelics, cellular therapy, biotech investing	Rejuveron, Cambrian Biopharma, Atai
Tony Robbins	Stay youthful and energetic as he ages	Supplements, stem cells, wellness advocacy	Life Force (book), various investments

I admire their ambition. I hope they succeed. But even if we conquer the “big three”—heart disease, dementia, and cancer—we may still be limited by the parts that wear out first.

In the end, maybe we are just as old as our oldest part. I hope not.