For a moment, you could have been forgiven for thinking you were listening to the latest bro science being shared by bros on yet another bro science podcast.
But instead, it was the private conversation of two authoritarian strongmen, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
The audio captured what dictators discuss when they think nobody is listening, and it was remarkably similar to what many tech bros talk about regarding their plans for eternal longevity.
The brief exchange occurred during a military parade in Beijing, where a number of China’s allies, including North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and former Victorian premier Dan Andrews, gathered for a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Putin and Xi were walking at the front of the group of foreign leaders when cameras caught parts of what appeared to have been a private conversation. Putin’s Chinese interpreter was heard saying, “Biotechnology is continuously developing.”
The Chinese interpreter then added Putin’s disturbing thoughts on organ transplants. “Human organs can be continuously transplanted. The longer you live, the younger you become, and [you can] even achieve immortality.”
Xi is heard responding in Chinese that, “Some predict that in this century humans may live to 150 years old.”
Later, speaking with reporters, Putin confirmed he had indeed discussed future prospects for increasing human life expectancy.
Sharing ideas on how they’re going to move past current human limitations makes sense, given they appear to have no plans for giving up their power anytime soon. Xi has abolished presidential term limits — achieved in 2018, granting him the ability to rule indefinitely. Putin, meanwhile, has drafted his own constitutional amendment enabling him to ignore the two-term limit placed on people serving as president in Russia, which was approved via a national referendum in July 2020.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un walked with the Russian and Chinese leaders, but it’s unclear if the comments had been translated for him. Jong-un’s own longevity plans appear in the form of taking extreme precautions, including travelling via an armoured train to Beijing, as well as continuing his family dynasty, with his teenage daughter making her first public outing overseas for the event. North Korea has not revealed her name or age. South Korean intelligence agencies first became aware of his daughter after former American basketball player Dennis Rodman spent time with Kim’s family in 2013.
Xi later addressed the crowd of 50,000 spectators by declaring that China is “unstoppable” and was “never intimidated by any bullies.”
Here’s some advice for the gathered strongmen of the world, learnt at our Women’s Health Summit on Tuesday: social connections and friendships are a significant, underlying factor in improving the years one can live in good health.