Luba Vukonsky

And he was appalled to discover how little was known about aging and that there was no systematic study of aging. They were textbooks about diseases of old age, but not about old age itself.

And he was appalled to discover how little was known about aging and that there was no systematic study of aging. They were textbooks about diseases of old age, but not about old age itself.

And he was appalled to discover how little was known about aging and that there was no systematic study of aging. They were textbooks about diseases of old age, but not about old age itself.

His hope was that if people live long enough, they will develop this death instinct.

His hope was that if people live long enough, they will develop this death instinct.

His hope was that if people live long enough, they will develop this death instinct.

The French morning newspaper Le Matin carried a huge headline article in large block letters all across the front page. And it said, vive la vie, long live life.

The French morning newspaper Le Matin carried a huge headline article in large block letters all across the front page. And it said, vive la vie, long live life.

The French morning newspaper Le Matin carried a huge headline article in large block letters all across the front page. And it said, vive la vie, long live life.

Death instinct would mean that people would be happy to die after living long and healthy lives.

Death instinct would mean that people would be happy to die after living long and healthy lives.

Death instinct would mean that people would be happy to die after living long and healthy lives.

He went around looking for this death instinct.

He went around looking for this death instinct.

He went around looking for this death instinct.

Centenarians made it into the newspapers. So whenever he would see an article about an old person, he rushed to meet them and he wanted to ask them, you know, about if they wanted to die.

Centenarians made it into the newspapers. So whenever he would see an article about an old person, he rushed to meet them and he wanted to ask them, you know, about if they wanted to die.

Centenarians made it into the newspapers. So whenever he would see an article about an old person, he rushed to meet them and he wanted to ask them, you know, about if they wanted to die.

He went to this large French hospital, La Salpêtrière,

He went to this large French hospital, La Salpêtrière,

He went to this large French hospital, La Salpêtrière,

And most of them were poor because, you know, obviously a more wealthy elderly wouldn't make it there.

And most of them were poor because, you know, obviously a more wealthy elderly wouldn't make it there.

And most of them were poor because, you know, obviously a more wealthy elderly wouldn't make it there.

It probably must have been quite a sad place, you know, where all these people were brought to die and there was not much that could really be done for them.

It probably must have been quite a sad place, you know, where all these people were brought to die and there was not much that could really be done for them.

It probably must have been quite a sad place, you know, where all these people were brought to die and there was not much that could really be done for them.

He went around asking them what they wanted and he was hoping to find the death instinct. And he was really disappointed because even the sick old people, they didn't want to die. They wanted to get better.

He went around asking them what they wanted and he was hoping to find the death instinct. And he was really disappointed because even the sick old people, they didn't want to die. They wanted to get better.

He went around asking them what they wanted and he was hoping to find the death instinct. And he was really disappointed because even the sick old people, they didn't want to die. They wanted to get better.

He developed a whole philosophy that there was this big disharmony in the world, in nature, between the shortness of human life and people's desire to live.

He developed a whole philosophy that there was this big disharmony in the world, in nature, between the shortness of human life and people's desire to live.

He developed a whole philosophy that there was this big disharmony in the world, in nature, between the shortness of human life and people's desire to live.

This became for him like his new mission to free the world from this terrible affliction.

This became for him like his new mission to free the world from this terrible affliction.

This became for him like his new mission to free the world from this terrible affliction.

His lab gradually filled up with old animals of all sorts.

His lab gradually filled up with old animals of all sorts.

His lab gradually filled up with old animals of all sorts.

Meshinkov was very happy that he was still interested in females.

Meshinkov was very happy that he was still interested in females.

Meshinkov was very happy that he was still interested in females.

When he rode on... In public transportation, he would tell people how they should be careful about microbes. He boiled everything he ate, even strawberries and even peeled bananas. He thought that the skin probably didn't protect them well enough. And when he invited guests to restaurants, he asked to bring a burner and he sterilized the utensils.

When he rode on... In public transportation, he would tell people how they should be careful about microbes. He boiled everything he ate, even strawberries and even peeled bananas. He thought that the skin probably didn't protect them well enough. And when he invited guests to restaurants, he asked to bring a burner and he sterilized the utensils.

When he rode on... In public transportation, he would tell people how they should be careful about microbes. He boiled everything he ate, even strawberries and even peeled bananas. He thought that the skin probably didn't protect them well enough. And when he invited guests to restaurants, he asked to bring a burner and he sterilized the utensils.

He thought that the root of aging, that it all started in the intestines.

He thought that the root of aging, that it all started in the intestines.

He thought that the root of aging, that it all started in the intestines.

So Mashinkov thought that in the intestines, there are microbes that cause rotting and that the rotting is what really causes the deterioration of aging. The big question became how to fight that.

So Mashinkov thought that in the intestines, there are microbes that cause rotting and that the rotting is what really causes the deterioration of aging. The big question became how to fight that.

So Mashinkov thought that in the intestines, there are microbes that cause rotting and that the rotting is what really causes the deterioration of aging. The big question became how to fight that.

He learned that in Bulgaria, there is this entire population of centenarians in the mountains.

He learned that in Bulgaria, there is this entire population of centenarians in the mountains.

He learned that in Bulgaria, there is this entire population of centenarians in the mountains.

They ate lots of yogurt.

They ate lots of yogurt.

They ate lots of yogurt.

The lecture was called Old Age.

The lecture was called Old Age.

The lecture was called Old Age.

He was saying how in Europe Old people are miserable.

He was saying how in Europe Old people are miserable.

He was saying how in Europe Old people are miserable.

Because they're useless. And he said that people there say that old dogs can at least capture seals and old women can't even do that. He was painting a very sort of gruesome picture of old age.

Because they're useless. And he said that people there say that old dogs can at least capture seals and old women can't even do that. He was painting a very sort of gruesome picture of old age.

Because they're useless. And he said that people there say that old dogs can at least capture seals and old women can't even do that. He was painting a very sort of gruesome picture of old age.

He was very famous. He was one of the most famous scientists in the world.

He was very famous. He was one of the most famous scientists in the world.

He was very famous. He was one of the most famous scientists in the world.

He brought an old dog and a parrot. The dog was 17 and he looked very old and undecorated. And the parrot, who was 70... looked much younger than the dog.

He brought an old dog and a parrot. The dog was 17 and he looked very old and undecorated. And the parrot, who was 70... looked much younger than the dog.

He brought an old dog and a parrot. The dog was 17 and he looked very old and undecorated. And the parrot, who was 70... looked much younger than the dog.

Birds do not have such large intestines as mammals. They don't store as many microbes.

Birds do not have such large intestines as mammals. They don't store as many microbes.

Birds do not have such large intestines as mammals. They don't store as many microbes.

And then he says, maybe there's a solution because, you know, in Bulgaria, people live that long.

And then he says, maybe there's a solution because, you know, in Bulgaria, people live that long.

And then he says, maybe there's a solution because, you know, in Bulgaria, people live that long.

He connected all these dots together. We age because in the intestines there is rotting. And lactic acid that is produced in sour milk can stop this rotting by killing the bacteria that cause the rotting. And there you have proof. All over the world, you know, newspapers started running stories.

He connected all these dots together. We age because in the intestines there is rotting. And lactic acid that is produced in sour milk can stop this rotting by killing the bacteria that cause the rotting. And there you have proof. All over the world, you know, newspapers started running stories.

He connected all these dots together. We age because in the intestines there is rotting. And lactic acid that is produced in sour milk can stop this rotting by killing the bacteria that cause the rotting. And there you have proof. All over the world, you know, newspapers started running stories.

And there was no turning back.

And there was no turning back.

And there was no turning back.

I mean, this started a real mania, yogurt mania.

I mean, this started a real mania, yogurt mania.

I mean, this started a real mania, yogurt mania.

I think it's rare to trace the beginning of an industry to a single event. But in this case, I can pretty much say that the yogurt industry started with that lecture.

I think it's rare to trace the beginning of an industry to a single event. But in this case, I can pretty much say that the yogurt industry started with that lecture.

I think it's rare to trace the beginning of an industry to a single event. But in this case, I can pretty much say that the yogurt industry started with that lecture.

There were ads, this cafe on one of the Parisian boulevards advertised Bulgarian curdled milk. The yogurt craze kind of, you know, grew and grew. I saw pictures of Danone, which I think in the States is called Danone.

There were ads, this cafe on one of the Parisian boulevards advertised Bulgarian curdled milk. The yogurt craze kind of, you know, grew and grew. I saw pictures of Danone, which I think in the States is called Danone.

There were ads, this cafe on one of the Parisian boulevards advertised Bulgarian curdled milk. The yogurt craze kind of, you know, grew and grew. I saw pictures of Danone, which I think in the States is called Danone.

They sold cups of yogurt and it said, recommended by Professor Metchnikoff and the medical profession. It was totally got out of hand, completely. There was all this hype and all this hoopla about it that he had no control over.

They sold cups of yogurt and it said, recommended by Professor Metchnikoff and the medical profession. It was totally got out of hand, completely. There was all this hype and all this hoopla about it that he had no control over.

They sold cups of yogurt and it said, recommended by Professor Metchnikoff and the medical profession. It was totally got out of hand, completely. There was all this hype and all this hoopla about it that he had no control over.

He tried sort of to present the facts and to separate it from the hype, but it was just way too late. The good thing about yogurt was that it was harmless, you know, because so many cures for aging were, you know, terrible and dangerous and lethal. And yogurt was cheap and it was safe. and easily available, so it was irresistible.

He tried sort of to present the facts and to separate it from the hype, but it was just way too late. The good thing about yogurt was that it was harmless, you know, because so many cures for aging were, you know, terrible and dangerous and lethal. And yogurt was cheap and it was safe. and easily available, so it was irresistible.

He tried sort of to present the facts and to separate it from the hype, but it was just way too late. The good thing about yogurt was that it was harmless, you know, because so many cures for aging were, you know, terrible and dangerous and lethal. And yogurt was cheap and it was safe. and easily available, so it was irresistible.

He loved the journalists. He never turned them away. And they loved him even more than he loved them. And they followed him around and they took down his every word.

He loved the journalists. He never turned them away. And they loved him even more than he loved them. And they followed him around and they took down his every word.

He loved the journalists. He never turned them away. And they loved him even more than he loved them. And they followed him around and they took down his every word.

So he was looking to sort of to solve the riddle of aging on all levels. He was looking for partners in this quest.

So he was looking to sort of to solve the riddle of aging on all levels. He was looking for partners in this quest.

So he was looking to sort of to solve the riddle of aging on all levels. He was looking for partners in this quest.

He admired so much Tolstoy's writing about the fear of death, which are really masterful.

He admired so much Tolstoy's writing about the fear of death, which are really masterful.

He admired so much Tolstoy's writing about the fear of death, which are really masterful.

So he thought that Tolstoy must know some secret that I don't.

So he thought that Tolstoy must know some secret that I don't.

So he thought that Tolstoy must know some secret that I don't.

He thought that a solution to everything was science. So, of course, science was going to solve aging as well.

He thought that a solution to everything was science. So, of course, science was going to solve aging as well.

He thought that a solution to everything was science. So, of course, science was going to solve aging as well.

The reporter called it a meeting of two monarchs of universal literature and science.

The reporter called it a meeting of two monarchs of universal literature and science.

The reporter called it a meeting of two monarchs of universal literature and science.

So the only thing on which they agreed was yogurt, because Tolstoy turned out to love yogurt. But other than that, it was pretty much a disaster, the meeting. Mitrikov very candidly, very honestly wrote about this himself afterwards.

So the only thing on which they agreed was yogurt, because Tolstoy turned out to love yogurt. But other than that, it was pretty much a disaster, the meeting. Mitrikov very candidly, very honestly wrote about this himself afterwards.

So the only thing on which they agreed was yogurt, because Tolstoy turned out to love yogurt. But other than that, it was pretty much a disaster, the meeting. Mitrikov very candidly, very honestly wrote about this himself afterwards.

Meshikov was much more spiritual than Tolstoy gave him credit for. He did try, I think, understand human psychology. And I think he thought that somehow together with Tolstoy, he could get closer to cracking this riddle of, you know, what really happens in the human psyche, in the human mind, how, you know, we feel like that, how we feel when we age, why, you know, this fear of death.

Meshikov was much more spiritual than Tolstoy gave him credit for. He did try, I think, understand human psychology. And I think he thought that somehow together with Tolstoy, he could get closer to cracking this riddle of, you know, what really happens in the human psyche, in the human mind, how, you know, we feel like that, how we feel when we age, why, you know, this fear of death.

Meshikov was much more spiritual than Tolstoy gave him credit for. He did try, I think, understand human psychology. And I think he thought that somehow together with Tolstoy, he could get closer to cracking this riddle of, you know, what really happens in the human psyche, in the human mind, how, you know, we feel like that, how we feel when we age, why, you know, this fear of death.

And of course, it just, you know, totally crashed. You know, the meeting didn't work at all.

And of course, it just, you know, totally crashed. You know, the meeting didn't work at all.

And of course, it just, you know, totally crashed. You know, the meeting didn't work at all.

At the turn of the 20th century, this was a very dominant dichotomy between pessimism and optimism. Sort of your belief, you know, about the world, you know, is the world getting better?

At the turn of the 20th century, this was a very dominant dichotomy between pessimism and optimism. Sort of your belief, you know, about the world, you know, is the world getting better?

At the turn of the 20th century, this was a very dominant dichotomy between pessimism and optimism. Sort of your belief, you know, about the world, you know, is the world getting better?

In some of the Russian newspapers, he was bragging about how good he felt about He was saying that this is working. Look, you know, I'm eating yogurt three times a day. I believe, you know, it's doing me a lot of good. And look how vigorous I am.

In some of the Russian newspapers, he was bragging about how good he felt about He was saying that this is working. Look, you know, I'm eating yogurt three times a day. I believe, you know, it's doing me a lot of good. And look how vigorous I am.

In some of the Russian newspapers, he was bragging about how good he felt about He was saying that this is working. Look, you know, I'm eating yogurt three times a day. I believe, you know, it's doing me a lot of good. And look how vigorous I am.

This became for him like a new mission.

This became for him like a new mission.

This became for him like a new mission.

What really killed him was World War I. He was such a believer in rational thought and science. He thought that there will be no more wars, that the world had learned from that. And he was devastated when war broke out and all signs stopped at the Pasteur Institute.

What really killed him was World War I. He was such a believer in rational thought and science. He thought that there will be no more wars, that the world had learned from that. And he was devastated when war broke out and all signs stopped at the Pasteur Institute.

What really killed him was World War I. He was such a believer in rational thought and science. He thought that there will be no more wars, that the world had learned from that. And he was devastated when war broke out and all signs stopped at the Pasteur Institute.

His wife describes it like how overnight he turned into an old man.

His wife describes it like how overnight he turned into an old man.

His wife describes it like how overnight he turned into an old man.

Free the world from this terrible affliction.

Free the world from this terrible affliction.

Free the world from this terrible affliction.

In 1916, so this was already what, like more than a year after the war started, his health began to deteriorate and he developed heart disease, heart failure. In terms of the fear of death, he kept coming back to this, and he kept saying that I have conquered my fear of death, I have conquered it.

In 1916, so this was already what, like more than a year after the war started, his health began to deteriorate and he developed heart disease, heart failure. In terms of the fear of death, he kept coming back to this, and he kept saying that I have conquered my fear of death, I have conquered it.

In 1916, so this was already what, like more than a year after the war started, his health began to deteriorate and he developed heart disease, heart failure. In terms of the fear of death, he kept coming back to this, and he kept saying that I have conquered my fear of death, I have conquered it.

And the truth is that you end up feeling the exact opposite, because had it been true, I don't think he would have had the need to repeat it so many times. So it was obviously something that he was still struggling with, I think, until the end of his life.

And the truth is that you end up feeling the exact opposite, because had it been true, I don't think he would have had the need to repeat it so many times. So it was obviously something that he was still struggling with, I think, until the end of his life.

And the truth is that you end up feeling the exact opposite, because had it been true, I don't think he would have had the need to repeat it so many times. So it was obviously something that he was still struggling with, I think, until the end of his life.

Entire sacks of letters that piled up in the mailroom was stuffed with letters from people who didn't want to die.

Entire sacks of letters that piled up in the mailroom was stuffed with letters from people who didn't want to die.

Entire sacks of letters that piled up in the mailroom was stuffed with letters from people who didn't want to die.

He died in 1916 at 71, not even halfway to the 150 that he thought, you know, people should live. Many people were all over the world were disappointed. There were headlines saying, you know, what have you done? You know, we believe that Because even despite all the skepticism, I think people wanted to believe that maybe it's true, maybe he has found a recipe, a cure.

He died in 1916 at 71, not even halfway to the 150 that he thought, you know, people should live. Many people were all over the world were disappointed. There were headlines saying, you know, what have you done? You know, we believe that Because even despite all the skepticism, I think people wanted to believe that maybe it's true, maybe he has found a recipe, a cure.

He died in 1916 at 71, not even halfway to the 150 that he thought, you know, people should live. Many people were all over the world were disappointed. There were headlines saying, you know, what have you done? You know, we believe that Because even despite all the skepticism, I think people wanted to believe that maybe it's true, maybe he has found a recipe, a cure.

The main goal at the time of many scientists, and of him as well, was to test Darwin's idea that all life on Earth came from the same common ancestor.

The main goal at the time of many scientists, and of him as well, was to test Darwin's idea that all life on Earth came from the same common ancestor.

The main goal at the time of many scientists, and of him as well, was to test Darwin's idea that all life on Earth came from the same common ancestor.

When he was in his late 30s, he traveled to Italy, to the island of Sicily, to study marine animals. And he was studying the larva of starfish.

When he was in his late 30s, he traveled to Italy, to the island of Sicily, to study marine animals. And he was studying the larva of starfish.

When he was in his late 30s, he traveled to Italy, to the island of Sicily, to study marine animals. And he was studying the larva of starfish.

And I've written a book called Immunity, How Ilya Mechnikov Changed the Course of Modern Medicine.

And I've written a book called Immunity, How Ilya Mechnikov Changed the Course of Modern Medicine.

And I've written a book called Immunity, How Ilya Mechnikov Changed the Course of Modern Medicine.

And in the larvae, he saw mobile cells.

And in the larvae, he saw mobile cells.

And in the larvae, he saw mobile cells.

He came up with the idea that maybe this is a defensive force of the organism.

He came up with the idea that maybe this is a defensive force of the organism.

He came up with the idea that maybe this is a defensive force of the organism.

He performed an experiment. It's a very famous experiment in immunology where he inserted thorns into these larvae.

He performed an experiment. It's a very famous experiment in immunology where he inserted thorns into these larvae.

He performed an experiment. It's a very famous experiment in immunology where he inserted thorns into these larvae.

And he saw that the cells indeed ganged up on the thorns. This was for him evidence of his theory that they were there to protect the larva.

And he saw that the cells indeed ganged up on the thorns. This was for him evidence of his theory that they were there to protect the larva.

And he saw that the cells indeed ganged up on the thorns. This was for him evidence of his theory that they were there to protect the larva.

In fact, this was the first material evidence of inner healing forces in science.

In fact, this was the first material evidence of inner healing forces in science.

In fact, this was the first material evidence of inner healing forces in science.

The idea that the body has inner powers that can be studied and enhanced and understood, I mean, that's enormous. It just turned everything around.

The idea that the body has inner powers that can be studied and enhanced and understood, I mean, that's enormous. It just turned everything around.

The idea that the body has inner powers that can be studied and enhanced and understood, I mean, that's enormous. It just turned everything around.

He was living in Paris and working at the Pasteur Institute.

He was living in Paris and working at the Pasteur Institute.

He was living in Paris and working at the Pasteur Institute.

He was in his mid-50s. He started having kidney trouble. And he began to worry about his own aging. And he also began to fear death.

He was in his mid-50s. He started having kidney trouble. And he began to worry about his own aging. And he also began to fear death.

He was in his mid-50s. He started having kidney trouble. And he began to worry about his own aging. And he also began to fear death.