In a fervent gathering at a Berkeley, California compound, a movement known as Vitalism is gaining traction, advocating for the radical notion that death is not merely an inevitability but a fundamental problem to be solved. Led by Nathan Cheng and Adam Gries, Vitalism positions the defeat of death as humanity’s absolute top priority, a goal that should supersede all others in social and political agendas. The movement critiques existing longevity discourse, finding terms like "longevity" and "anti-aging" too diluted or too broad, and "transhumanism" too far-reaching. Instead, Vitalism offers a "clean slate," aiming to reorient individual, societal, and national priorities toward a "longevity revolution" with unwavering devotion.

The Vitalists, though acknowledging that effective anti-aging treatments don’t yet exist, believe they are attainable through a strategic approach involving widespread adoption of their philosophy, influencing scientific research, attracting followers and funding, and ultimately reshaping governmental policies. Cheng and Gries have actively recruited influential figures, including lobbyists, academics, biotech CEOs, and politicians, establishing the Vitalism Foundation to accelerate their mission. The movement is also making inroads into shaping legislation, advocating for increased accessibility to experimental treatments at both state and national levels. This burgeoning influence is challenging the long-held skepticism within the scientific community towards those who speak of radical life extension. Even scientists who find Vitalist ideals unattainable often engage with the movement’s founders, lending a platform to these discussions in more traditional academic settings.

The Vitalist Bay Summit, a three-day event exploring various longevity tools from drug regulation to cryonics, exemplified this growing engagement. Attendees, including faculty from prestigious universities like Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley, and representatives from ARPA-H, demonstrated the movement’s ability to attract serious scientific and governmental interest. The summit was also attended by Bryan Johnson, a prominent longevity enthusiast. The core philosophy of Vitalism, as articulated by co-founder Adam Gries, is that "death is humanity’s core problem, and aging its primary agent." Gries, a successful tech entrepreneur, was initially inspired by Aubrey de Grey’s 2005 TED Talk predicting lifespans of a thousand years, and his conviction that "life is great" solidified during the COVID-19 pandemic. This existential reflection led him to dedicate himself to the longevity cause, eventually connecting him with Nathan Cheng.

Together, Cheng and Gries conceived Vitalism as a revolutionary movement, drawing parallels to historical social and religious upheavals. Their "Vitalist declaration," a white paper outlining five core principles, emphasizes life’s inherent value and the moral imperative to extend it. Gries views embracing death as ethically disqualifying, stating, "Death is just wrong. It’s not just wrong for some people. It’s wrong for all people." The movement aims to shift societal priorities by influencing government and national budgets, drawing inspiration from ambitious projects like the Apollo program to illustrate the potential of focused resource allocation.

Early efforts to establish a "longevity state" included attempts to rally 10,000 Vitalists to relocate to Rhode Island to influence local politics, or to establish a recognized jurisdiction that prioritizes anti-aging research and deregulation. This concept draws from the "network state" idea, envisioning communities with political autonomy focused on specific goals. While initiatives like "Vitalia," a pop-up city in Próspera, Honduras, aimed to create a low-regulation biotech hub, they proved short-lived. Patri Friedman, founder of the Seasteading Institute, also explores network state concepts, noting the significant demand for life extension among those seeking alternatives to lengthy FDA approval processes, referring to death as "murder by omission."

Despite initial setbacks in mass migration strategies, the Vitalists are shifting focus towards lobbying efforts in states more amenable to deregulation. Their involvement in passing expanded "right-to-try" laws in Montana and New Hampshire, making experimental treatments more accessible, demonstrates a growing political influence. Gries believes a revolution can be triggered by convincing a small percentage of "high-leverage" individuals, including wealthy donors, academics, policymakers, and government officials. The Vitalism International Foundation actively recruits "mobilized Vitalists" and certifies biotech companies aligned with its goals, emphasizing that designations can be revoked if organizations adopt narratives accepting aging or death.

Companies like Shift Bioscience, working on gene-based rejuvenation, and AgelessRx, a telehealth provider for longevity drugs, are among the certified Vitalist organizations. Daniel Ives, CEO of Shift Bioscience, refers to himself as a "Vitalist CEO" and emphasizes the need for a clear brand to distinguish serious scientific pursuits from unsubstantiated wellness claims. Anar Isman, cofounder of AgelessRx, views longevity as a movement and a revolution, with his company generating significant revenue by "evangelizing" radical life extension.

Even within government, Vitalism’s influence is felt. Mark Hamalainen, a science and engineering advisor at ARPA-H, identifies as a Vitalist, seeing it as a rebranding of transhumanist goals focused on solving the "death thing." He believes in influencing key individuals rather than the mainstream, a strategy he likens to the beginnings of Stalinism. ARPA-H officials like Jean Hébert and Andrew Brack, overseeing substantial budgets for aging-related research, are noted for their alignment with longevity goals. Gries expresses optimism about a "most pro-longevity administration in American history," citing figures like Jim O’Neill, Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, who has a background in longevity advocacy and network state concepts.

However, Vitalism remains controversial. Ethicists raise concerns about the deregulation of experimental treatments and the potential risks to patients. Philosophers like Sergio Imparato and Alberto Giubilini argue that death is a defining feature of humanity, integral to the meaning of life and shaping human culture. They caution against altering this fundamental aspect of human existence without broad societal consensus. Gries, aware of the stigma, advises against using terms like "eternity" or "forever," and appears to be downplaying the overtly "moral" framing of Vitalism in public discourse.

Despite attempts to refine its public image, Vitalism’s ideas are increasingly permeating the scientific establishment. What was once considered fringe is now finding platforms at mainstream longevity events, with organizations linked to Vitalism sponsoring major conferences. The movement’s success in Montana and its growing engagement with policymakers signal a significant shift. While the ultimate outcome of the Vitalist revolution remains uncertain, its impact on the discourse and direction of longevity science is undeniable, fostering an air of optimism among its adherents, who see every step forward as a victory in their quest to conquer death.