The anti-aging millionaire Bryan Johnson leaves the WTF podcast due to poor air quality, triggering online reactions: 'Stay strong. Connect with the earth.'
"Our grandfather has turned 99 years old smoking beedis."
Bryan Johnson, a prominent entrepreneur and advocate for anti-aging, conducted an intensive visit to India. On his third day in the country, he participated in the WTF podcast hosted by Zerodha's director, Nikhil Kamath. However, the conversation had to be abruptly interrupted due to the poor air quality in the area. A social media user pointed out that despite being in a five-star hotel with an air purifier, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 130.
Johnson, who was wearing an N95 mask, shared that he suffered skin reactions and discomfort in his eyes and throat. In an extensive post, the entrepreneur explained that the space where the recording took place was drawing in air from outside, rendering the purifier ineffective. He reported that the AQI indoors was 130 and that the PM2.5 level was 75 µg/m³, which is equivalent to smoking 3.4 cigarettes per exposure over 24 hours.
Johnson expressed his concern about the environmental situation in India, commenting that pollution has become so normalized that people are no longer aware of its seriousness, despite the scientific knowledge of its negative effects. He pointed out that people were even seen running outdoors and mentioned that neither babies nor young children were wearing masks, which could significantly reduce exposure. He questioned why the country's leaders do not consider air quality a national emergency and expressed confusion over the interests that perpetuate this situation.
Reactions on social media were swift, with several users criticizing the rise in AQI levels in various areas of the country. Some users, on the other hand, suggested that Johnson increase his immunity through exposure to adverse environments, promoting a philosophy of resilience. One comment stated that avoiding contact with dirt could lead to weakness, while another humorously recalled the legacy of resilience from previous generations.
