The Colbert Report Season 4 Episode 21 Aubrey de Grey, Philip Zimbardo

In season 4, episode 21 of The Colbert Report, Stephen welcomes two esteemed guests to the show: Aubrey de Grey and Philip Zimbardo. Aubrey de Grey is a biomedical gerontologist who is working to extend the human lifespan and eliminate age-related diseases. Philip Zimbardo is a renowned psychologist who is best known for his famous Stanford Prison Experiment.

Stephen begins the show with his trademark humor, joking about various topics such as the legalization of marijuana and the possibility of sentient robots. He then introduces his first guest, Aubrey de Grey.

Aubrey de Grey explains his work in the field of biomedical gerontology, stating that his goal is to eliminate aging and age-related diseases altogether. He states that aging is caused by the accumulation of damage to our bodies, and that by repairing that damage, we could extend the human lifespan indefinitely. Stephen seems skeptical, but de Grey is confident in his research.

Next up is Philip Zimbardo, who discusses his famous Stanford Prison Experiment, which took place in the 1970s. The experiment examined the effects of power dynamics on human behavior, and Zimbardo explains that the results were shocking. He notes that the experiment had to be stopped early because of the terrible things that were happening, but emphasizes that it was an important lesson in the power of authority.

Stephen and Zimbardo then discuss the idea of heroism, and Zimbardo explains that heroism is not just about being brave in the face of danger, but also about helping others even when it's difficult. He discusses his Heroic Imagination Project, which aims to teach people how to be heroes in their everyday lives.

Finally, the show concludes with a lighthearted segment in which Stephen tests Aubrey de Grey's theory by attempting to repair damage to his own body. Stephen tries various methods, such as taping a banana to his head to fix his brain damage and eating paint to improve his heart health. Needless to say, the segment is humorous and exaggerated, but serves as a fun way to end the show.

Overall, season 4, episode 21 of The Colbert Report is a great mix of serious discussions and humor, with two fascinating guests who each bring their own unique perspectives to the show.