Who wants to live forever? A look at the quest for immortality

Is it possible to live forever? And if so, should we even want to? This hour, we discuss the search for immortality, from ancient philosophers to the elixir of life. Plus, a look at immortalizing public figures through obituaries. Guests: • Tushar Irani is a Professor of Philosophy at Wesleyan University studying Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy. • Philip Ball is a freelance science writer and the author of “Alchemy: An Illustrated History of Elixirs, Experiments, and the Birth of Modern Science” • William McDonald recently retired as the obituaries editor for the New York Times, a position that he held for the past 20 years. Music featured (in order): • Galahad (   • Aoife O'Donovan with Hawktail // Galahad  )  – Aoife O’Donovan • You Only Live Twice (   • You Only Live Twice (Main Title / Remastered)  )  – Nancy Sinatra • If We Were Vampires (   • Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit - If We Were...  )  – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit • Alchemy (   • Cam - Alchemy (Official Video)  )  – Cam • Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven (But Nobody Wants to Die) (   • Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven (But Nobod...  ) – Ellen McIlwaine • CUT FOR TIME I Don’t Want to Die (In the Hospital) (   • I Don't Want to Die (In the Hospital)  )  – Connor Oberst • Fame (   • Irene Cara - Fame (Live)  )  – Irene Cara The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...) , Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/0AXtqrz...) , Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9b6...) , TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Pol...) , Listen Notes (https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/...) , or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter (https://www.ctpublic.org/newsletters) , an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. Join the conversation on Facebook (  / colinmcshow  )  and Twitter (  / colinmcshow  ) . Colin McEnroe and Dylan Reyes contributed to this show. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.