I think the billionaire space race may be a good example of the public disliking weird stuff that billionaires are doing, but public opinion not significantly impacting their ability to do the weird stuff.
But what if they could be doing way more? If being a civilian space tourist was seen as the coolest person anyone could do, there would probably be even more of a market incentive for Branson.
I am also not too worried about bad PR keeping good scientists away since I think high salaries should help to overcome their fears / misunderstandings surrounding anti-ageing research.
I think that’s true for now, but
If longevity research was high-status, maybe salaries would be lower and you could have twice as many scientists
Many you end up with fewer smart young people going into longevity research and the field starts to dry up
But what if they could be doing way more? If being a civilian space tourist was seen as the coolest person anyone could do, there would probably be even more of a market incentive for Branson.
I think that’s true for now, but
If longevity research was high-status, maybe salaries would be lower and you could have twice as many scientists
Many you end up with fewer smart young people going into longevity research and the field starts to dry up