59 pages • 1 hour read
Peter AttiaA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Consider how Attia tells his story about longevity in Outlive. What sources does he draw upon? Are there places where he overuses or underutilizes these sources? How do these sources impact his credibility?
What is longevity? How do Medicine 2.0 and 3.0 each approach longevity? Do you believe Medicine 3.0’s longevity approach is more effective, or less effective? Why?
How is Medicine 2.0 failing in the fight against the Horsemen diseases? In what ways do you think Medicine 3.0 could help? In what ways do you think Medicine 3.0 might still fall short?
Attia discusses evolutionary aspects of humanity that have lagged behind modern lifestyles and environments. In what ways does the modern, industrial lifestyle make living a healthy life more challenging? Easier? What tactics do you think are most effective for coping?
While Attia advocates for certain preventative measures that people can take to improve longevity (e.g., frequent health screenings; quality diet; lots of exercise), some critics claim that he does not present a realistic plan for many people. How might socioeconomic factors affect an individual’s ability to follow Medicine 3.0’s recommendations? In what ways, if any, could such factors be mitigated?
What is the relationship between emotional health and healthspan? Do you find Attia’s argument convincing? Why or why not?
Attia argues that one of Medicine 2.0’s shortcomings is its aversion to risk. Do you agree with his assessment? Why or why not? What role should risk play in medicine and medical treatments, in your view?
Why does Attia focus on nutritional biochemistry over diet? Do you agree with his position that diet is less important than exercise when trying to reach longevity goals? Do you share his views on the shortcomings of nutritional research? Why or why not?
Attia believes that the first step to forming a longevity plan is to have an objective—the reason why one wants to live better for longer. What are your own objectives in seeking to improve your healthspan and lifespan? What specific goals and motivations inspire you? What does your own longevity plan look like?