Bryan Johnson Says People Celebrated His Illness After Autoimmune Gastritis Diagnosis: ‘The World Wants Me To Die’ | Today’s news
Tech entrepreneur and longevity advocate Bryan Johnson has responded to the online backlash following his recent diagnosis of autoimmune gastritis (AIG), saying many people seem to have celebrated his illness rather than sympathized. In a lengthy post on X, Johnson argued that the response reflected a broader discomfort with his longstanding mission to confront aging and extend human life.
Johnson, who is known for investing millions of dollars in longevity research and closely monitoring his health, said news of his diagnosis quickly spread around the world.
According to him, nearly 1,900 newspaper articles were published in the days since the announcement, while discussions about his health spread on social media. While Johnson acknowledged receiving messages of support, he said much of the online commentary portrayed his diagnosis as evidence that his anti-aging efforts were bound to fail.
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The post, which has received more than 2.4 million views on X, has reignited conversations about longevity research and public perception of those trying to extend human life.
“The World Wants Me to Die”
Johnson said the reaction went beyond schadenfreude — the pleasure some people get from another person’s misfortune.
According to him, many social media users claimed that he somehow deserved his illness because for years he publicly questioned whether aging and death were inevitable.
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“People have pointed to schadenfreude, the pleasure of another’s failure. Yes, it is. There is a special place in people’s hearts that loves when others fail, especially when the presence of such a person in some way threatens their own psychological stability or helps them feel better. But if you look at the comments on social networks about me, you will see that he deserves it,” he wrote: ”
He draws parallels with history and mythology
In his statement, Johnson also referenced historical and mythological figures who sought immortality or challenged the natural order.
Citing the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Greek healer Asclepius, and the story of Jesus, he argued that societies have long portrayed those who attempt to overcome death as characters destined for punishment or defeat.
“Asclepius became so skilled at rejuvenation that he raised the dead. As punishment, Zeus struck him to the ground with a lightning bolt to assert his authority over life and death. This is the story of Jesus. Pontius Pilate offered a choice between a thief and an immortal man, and the crowd demanded execution. People need this conclusion to the story to keep their sanity, and the loser must earn his shield. preservation,” he wrote.
Johnson acknowledged that comparisons with such figures would likely invite criticism and accusations of arrogance. However, he argued that similar narratives have appeared throughout human history.
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Questions of public response to longevity research
Johnson concluded his paper by reflecting on humanity’s relationship to death, suggesting that advances in medicine and longevity science could fundamentally reshape the way people think about aging.
“Death is a pervasive concern of the human race. It encapsulates our greatest fears, joys and curiosities. The discourse around it changes over time; however, the fundamentals remain unchanged. What is about this moment, unlike any other moment, is that physical death may no longer be inevitable. ‘What if I didn’t deserve it?'” he concluded.
Johnson’s remarks renewed debate about longevity research, public attitudes toward antiaging science and an examination of one of its most prominent proponents.
