Topic B Discussion: "Biohacking" or Just a Cultural Phenomenon?

Hey delegates! 

In regards to our second topic, I was reading a little bit more about other case studies related to biohacking, when I came across this article I think you would find interesting: https://www.wired.com/story/health-business-deprivation-technology/. This article dives deeper into the seemingly apparent correlation between biohackers and tech CEOs, and critically examines what it calls the "shaman-ification" of these high value individuals. Feel free to give it a quick read, and I’ll also summarize its main points below:

Background:
  • The article talks about the self-shamanification of tech CEOs in Silicon Valley who take to extreme self-denial fads like intermittent fasting and dopamine fasting that are often touted as "biohacking" innovations.
  • The article provides examples of tech executives such as Steve Jobs and Jack Dorsey who have gone on extreme diets, as well as the example of Elizabeth Holmes, the former CEO of Theranos, who famously subsisted on a spartan brew of kale, celery, spinach, parsley, cucumber, and romaine lettuce.
  • Examples of self-deprivation among tech CEOs include eating only one meal a day, intermittent fasting, dopamine fasting, and strict diets like the "alphabet diet."
Viewpoints:
  • The article argues that these practices are part of a larger pattern of self-shamanification, or the transformation of oneself into a shaman, among tech CEOs.
  • The author describes his experience studying shamans in remote regions of the world such as the Mentawai Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, and how they practice self-deprivation as part of their transition from non-shamans to those who have been transformed and for the rest of their lives must refrain from certain pleasures to avoid contaminating their bodies.
  • The article suggests that these concepts of self-deprivation and transformation are common practices among shamans in various cultures around the world as well.
  • The author notes that self-deprivation is often presented as a form of "biohacking," but in reality it is actually just a part of a larger cultural phenomenon.

Overall, I hope you found this article as interesting as I did, in particular the analysis of what can be considered as biohacking vs. what is simply just a cultural movement. I think it is important to discuss this difference, as it could in theory be used for dangerous biohackers to perhaps justify their "biohacks" and thus potentially avoid the repercussions or legislation that was designed to prevent biohacking in the first place. Feel free to recommend any good reads in the comments or offer your opinion on this one if you wish!

Best,

Ashwat Chidambaram 

IBC, BMUN 71

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