Age-reversing CEO Bryan Johnson flags health risks while reacting to Indian coder's 4 am post: ‘This is not heroic'
An Indian web developer's viral post showing his team working at 4 am ignited a debate about work-life balance and health. Bryan Johnson, a biohacking advocate, criticised the post, citing the health risks of overwork, supported by WHO data linking long hours to increased mortality. The discussion underscores the tech industry's pressure to prioritise productivity over well-being.
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
'This is not heroic', Bryan Johnson reacts
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Health warning from WHO
Why this matters
Who is Bryan Johnson?
A post by Indian web developer Priyanshu Tiwari recently went viral, sparking a global discussion about work habits, health, and hustle culture. He shared a photo of himself and his teammates coding in the office at 4 am with the caption, 'It is 4 am, guys, but builders are building. What's your excuse?'Many praised the dedication, saying it showed commitment and passion. But not everyone agreed.American entrepreneur and anti-ageing advocate Bryan Johnson responded to the post, calling such habits 'terrible for health.' He warned that this kind of work culture should not be seen as something admirable. Johnson also pointed out the health problems that come with long hours at a desk, like poor posture, reduced brain oxygen, disturbed sleep, and more.His honest take received mixed reactions. Some people praised him for speaking up against the pressure-filled work environment common in tech firms and start-ups. One user commented, 'Bryan is spot on. This kind of schedule is not sustainable.'But others criticised him, saying it's easy to give health advice when you're already rich. One user wrote, 'Easy to give this advice from your villa in Venice when you've already made millions.'Johnson replied calmly, 'Even small improvements in sleep posture and circadian rhythm can enhance performance and longevity. It's not either-or.'A 2021 report by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that long working hours led to 745,000 deaths worldwide, mainly from heart disease and stroke. The study said working 55+ hours a week increases the risk of stroke by 35% and heart disease by 17%, compared to working 35–40 hours a week.Today, around 9% of the global population works long hours, putting more people at risk of serious health problems and early death.This online exchange highlights a serious concern in today's tech industry: the pressure to work long hours, chase deadlines, and celebrate burnout. While Priyanshu's post was meant to motivate, it also reflects a growing problem, working too hard at the cost of your health.Bryan Johnson is a well-known figure in the biohacking world. At 47, he spends millions each year trying to slow down ageing. His programme, called Blueprint, includes over 100 daily supplements, carefully tracked sleep, and data-based exercise routines.Priyanshu's post shows the passion of a generation eager to succeed, but Bryan Johnson's response reminds us to ask: at what cost?Success is important, but so is health. Long-term performance comes not from all-nighters, but from balanced routines, enough rest, and caring for your body. Burnout shouldn't be a badge of honour, it should be a warning sign.Inputs from TOI
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
The grocery list is dead. Long live the grocery app
A few years ago, when my mother first learned that tomatoes could arrive at our door in under ten minutes, she did not believe me. 'Ten minutes? From where?' she asked, as if I had claimed to conjure them out of thin air. I handed her the phone and showed her apps like Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart. She watched the screen with suspicion and in bemused horror. There were theories that the tomatoes would never arrive. But arrive they did. Fresh, plump, perfectly ripe, and almost too red. And just like that, the quiet, poised theatre of kitchen life in our home began to change. Not in a dramatic, overnight sense, but more like the app update that installs in the background while you sleep. Before the apps, our kitchen moved to a weekly rhythm. Grocery lists were written on the backs of old envelopes and disused bills, and then tucked into my father's shirt pocket. My mother maintained a parallel, exhaustive mental inventory. She was like the internal supply chain manager, aided by decades of intuition and practice. We bought only what was needed and in season. And this shaped what we cooked and how we ate. Then came these apps. All of a sudden, like the (un)invited relative. At first, they were convenience tools, used sparingly – bulk rice order, maybe some bhujiya. But over time, something shifted. One of the first casualties of this era was the old, crumpled grocery list in my father's shirt pocket. In the past, shopping lists were domestic epics, many days in the making. They were a manifestation of meticulous planning and financial prudence. However, what used to be mindful provisioning morphed into fickle, mood-based ordering. Today, the act of 'doing the grocery' no longer feels like an important part of life, but rather an algorithm-dictated chore. We shop only in reaction, not in response. Instant cravings are now logistical possibilities. And I must admit – the very idea that you are never more than ten minutes away from abundance is indeed seductive. But food, at least in Indian homes, was never just about hunger or scarcity. It was about anticipation, particularly the slow build-up to a meal and smelling it being cooked hours before it is served. That entire sensory arc is lost when the paneer arrives, as an afterthought, after you have already begun to prepare the tadka. The fridge has become the new warehouse. Packed not with fresh vegetables or pickles of different varieties, but with plastic bags from quick-commerce orders, often duplicated items. There's less frugality and more waste. My mother sometimes forgets she ordered dhania the day before. It lies wilting in the corner, only to be superseded by a fresher bunch. All this might reek of Doordarshan-era nostalgia. Rest assured, it is not. Nor is this a call to delete the apps. Let us be honest: urban lives are, as it is, squeezed for time, and nuclear families are optimising every errand. And in many ways, these apps are liberating, especially for working mothers, bachelors, the elderly, and those without transport. Lest I sound ungrateful: the grocery app saved me at 02:52 am when I needed heartbreak snacks (while listening to KK and Lucky Ali songs). Despite the conveniences offered, my mother is not entirely thrilled. The app has empowered her, yes, but it has also diluted her authority. In most Indian homes, the kitchen is the command centre. And mothers are its benevolent dictators. It is not just about food but also about control. Earlier, she controlled the kitchen through curation. Now, anyone with the app can become a gatekeeper. My father orders dal without telling her. My cousin buys exotic cheeses 'just to try'. The grocery app has flattened the hierarchy and digitised monetary transactions. For mothers used to operating in the analog era of mental maths and command-and-control planning, this is annoying and has become one more battlefield for domestic micro-management. Also, the kitchen has long been the site for community bonding. Neighbours borrowed salt and sugar freely. The aunty next door would send over gajar for the halwa and you returned the favour by sending her an extra helping, once it was cooked and sweetened. This ecosystem has crumbled. Who will borrow when the app exists? Community exchange, already on the decline, has taken another hit. Perhaps, in the future, an app could have a feature that connects neighbours for sugar swaps. Wistful thinking, ultimately. However, what I miss most is the neighbourhood grocer. It was the parchoon ki dukaan where the proprietor knew our tastes. He would suggest the better brand or throw in some samples for free. There was always a little gossip about the mohalla, and he forwarded credit without asking. In place of friendly nods and familiar faces, we are now in the business of handing out indifferent stars to the delivery boys. Cajoling the sabzi wala to give free coriander was a performance in itself, replete with sighs, a bit of emotional blackmail, head-tilts, and the classic mock walk-away. Today, what is left is quick and convenient. It works just fine, but it does not linger. Yet, even amidst all this, just as Jeff Goldblum declared, 'life, uh, finds a way', old habits and instincts too have an uncanny tendency to come back in unexpected moments. Just last week, I saw my mother scrolling an app for one tomato. One. I watched in horror as she added it to the cart and then paused. 'Rs. 31 is the delivery charge? Arey nahin, leave it. I will go get it myself. And you, come with me.' There it was, that tiny rebellion. She tied her dupatta, grabbed her sturdy old jute bag, and headed out like the old times. Because some tomatoes, she decided, must still be bought the hard way. And perhaps, some things, like the way a kitchen breathes, are still worth taking the long route for. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
News18
44 minutes ago
- News18
Alia Bhatt Shares Magical Pics From BFF Tanya's Dreamy Spanish Wedding: ‘Heart Is Full'
Last Updated: Alia Bhatt drops unseen photos from best friend Tanya Saha Gupta's Spanish wedding, calling it 'the most beautiful' day. After turning heads at Cannes 2025, Alia Bhatt flew to Spain for a more intimate celebration of her best friend Tanya Saha Gupta's wedding. The actress, who has known Tanya since her school days, played the perfect bridesmaid and shared stunning glimpses from the festivities on social media. In a carousel of dreamy pictures, Alia gave fans a peek into the fairytale-like ceremony, set against picturesque Spanish landscapes. From Indian ethnicwear to chic western silhouettes, the actress brought her signature effortless style to every celebration. In one photo, she's seen embracing the bride in a beautiful garden, wearing a cream embroidered bandhgala jacket paired with flared pants, while Tanya dazzles in a blush pink embroidered lehenga. In another set of images, Alia is seen walking down a staircase beside Tanya, who wore an ethereal white lace gown and dramatic veil, surrounded by bridesmaids in matching black gowns—an elegant, cinematic moment. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alia Bhatt 💛 (@aliaabhatt) Alia also posted an affectionate moment where she kisses Tanya on the cheek, holding a bouquet of white lilies. Wearing a strapless black sequin gown and floral earrings, the Raazi actress looked effortlessly graceful, embodying minimal glam. Captioning the post, she wrote, 'The most beautiful wedding, the most beautiful bride, and a heart fuller than we ever imagined. Some places feel like home — our place is wherever we're together." Fans praised Alia for her fashion choices and also for letting the bride shine throughout. One comment read, 'One thing I've always loved about Alia is that she never tries to outshine the bride — such a small gesture, but truly admirable." Another said, 'I love how she doesn't try to steal the limelight in intimate gatherings with her close ones." First Published:
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Happiness curriculum in govt schools makes way for ‘Science of Living'
New Delhi: From Aug, classrooms in Delhi's govt schools will begin to feel very different. Children will learn not just equations and grammar but also how to breathe mindfully, take care of elders and disconnect from their screens. With the introduction of the new Science of Living curriculum, schools are set for a major shift in both spirit and structure. The curriculum, which educators say replaces Happiness curriculum programme introduced by the previous AAP govt, aligns with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It was allocated Rs 1.5 crore in Delhi govt's budget. Rooted in ancient Indian knowledge systems, the curriculum integrates concepts like panch kosha (the five layers of human existence) and panch tantra with contemporary life skills. Students will engage in yoga, meditation and mindfulness practices, alongside lessons on emotional well-being, digital detox, moral values and caring for the elderly. While some educators believe it builds upon the foundations of Happiness curriculum, officials describe it as a more holistic evolution. A principal said, "Happiness curriculum focused on nurturing emotional well-being, mindfulness and self-awareness among students through activities like meditation, storytelling and reflective conversations. Science of Living aims to offer a holistic life skills education grounded in scientific, ethical and philosophical principles. " The principal added, "The focus will shift from just emotional wellness to developing a balanced personality equipped with values, discipline, emotional intelligence, decision-making and resilience." The focus spans a wide spectrum of teachings. "The curriculum will also introduce lessons on emotional resilience and the importance of digital detox—both highly pertinent in an age where technology often overwhelms personal space and well-being," an official said. Emotional intelligence is at the heart of this initiative, with the aim to teach students how to understand their own emotions, navigate the complexities of relationships and develop a healthy, balanced outlook on life. It also stresses the importance of resilience in the face of life's inevitable ups and downs, a skill set that is often overlooked in traditional education systems. The programme will incorporate real-world engagement, encouraging students to actively participate in initiatives such as the Yamuna cleaning campaign. It will use a range of creative tools, including field visits, puppet theatre and documentary screenings. Students will also be introduced to socially relevant themes like gender equity and respect for womanhood. Each one-hour session will be conducted twice a month, with a 15-day gap between them. One of the underlying principles is to encourage a reconnection with traditional knowledge. "By engaging with these ancient teachings, students are not only learning history but also applying its wisdom in their daily lives. This approach is perfectly aligned with the goals of NEP 2020, which advocates an education system that nurtures well-rounded individuals who can think critically and contribute meaningfully to society," the official said. What sets this programme apart is its emphasis on experiential learning. Students will participate in activities that are designed to make them live the lessons. "The vision is to help students evolve into emotionally intelligent, self-aware individuals who are equipped with the skills to lead fulfilling and balanced lives," the official said.
