Humans have doubled their life expectancy in the past one hundred years. That means we each have an extra twenty thousand extra days in comparison to our great-grandparents. How is that even possible?

Award winning author, Steven Johnson, explores this extraordinary measure of human achievement in his newest book Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer.  From the early attempts to capture data related to life expectancy, to breakthroughs in the science of virology and biology, to the very basic engineering behind seat belts, Johnson seeks out not just the science from the past but also looks forward to the future and the technology that might save us from calamities on the horizon.

Steven Johnson chats with journalist Melissa Gismondi about his book Extra Life and the enduring power of common goals.

About this event's guests:

Steven Johnson
Melissa Gismondi

Author photo courtesy of Riverhead.

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This event is part of our On Civil Society series.

Generously supported in part by Chris M. Reid

Toronto Public Library is committed to accessibility. Please call or email us if you are Deaf or have a disability and would like to request accommodation to participate in this program. Please let us know as far in advance as possible and we will do our best to meet your request. At least three weeks notice is preferred. Phone 416-393-7099 or email accessibleservices@tpl.ca

Steven Johnson: Extra Life