US Millionaire Criticises Indian Developer for Promoting 4am Work Culture
| 2025-05-26
The social media community
US tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson warns against glorifying 4am work hours after an Indian developer’s viral post, citing long-term health risks.
US millionaire Bryan Johnson has cautioned against romanticising extreme work hours after a viral social media post by an Indian developer praised 4am coding sessions.
The post by web developer Priyanshu Tiwari, which showed a group of tech workers working into the early hours, drew praise for its message of perseverance. However, American tech entrepreneur and longevity researcher Bryan Johnson responded sharply, arguing that celebrating sleep-depriving routines can have serious long-term health consequences.
The original post featured an image of people coding late into the night with the caption: “It’s 4 AM, guys, but builders are building. What’s your excuse?” The message quickly gained traction online, with many users lauding the commitment and work ethic implied.
But Johnson, known for his investments in anti-ageing technologies and data-driven health optimisation, disagreed with the sentiment. In his response, he listed a series of physiological drawbacks associated with late-night work and screen exposure.
“You’re spending down your human capacity”
“It may feel heroic, but you’re spending down your human capacity,” Johnson wrote in his reply. “That posture reduces brain oxygen by 30%. The blue light suppresses melatonin, fragments deep sleep, and blunts next-day insulin sensitivity. The missed sleep raises cortisol, increases visceral fat and decays memory.”
Johnson’s remarks reflect a growing body of research indicating that long hours, poor sleep hygiene, and prolonged screen time can impair both physical and cognitive health. He has previously promoted rigorous health tracking and biological age reversal strategies, often sharing biometric data from his own experimental routines.
Divided opinions on social media
The millionaire’s comment sparked a divided reaction online. Some agreed with his warning, highlighting that glamorising excessive work at the cost of sleep and well-being sets a dangerous precedent in competitive work environments, particularly in technology and startups.
“Sacrificing your biology for hustle is a false flex. Yeah, it feels heroic now, but it’s a slow suicide mission,” one user wrote. “Efficiency over martyrdom. Build capacity, don’t burn it.”
Others questioned the fairness of Johnson’s perspective, noting that his financial success may have involved similar periods of intense work.
“Fair, but you're only able to make this comment from the comfort of your longevity-maxed-out Venice villa because you did the same at one point,” said one user. Another added, “Easy to give this advice when you were heads down for years and had a multi-million dollar exit.”
The wider debate on hustle culture
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions in global work culture—between the celebration of relentless productivity and emerging awareness around mental and physical health. In many industries, particularly in technology and startups, long working hours are often seen as a badge of honour.
India’s growing digital economy has witnessed the rapid expansion of tech startups, where late-night work is common. However, critics argue that normalising such habits can lead to burnout, reduced performance, and long-term health complications.
Public health experts have increasingly urged organisations and workers to adopt more sustainable practices, including better work-life balance, regular sleep, and ergonomic workspaces. Sleep deprivation, in particular, is linked to chronic illnesses, weakened immunity, and impaired decision-making.
Context: Bryan Johnson and health optimisation
Bryan Johnson is the founder of Kernel, a neurotechnology company, and Blueprint, a project aimed at maximising human longevity through scientific testing and lifestyle intervention. He is known for following a strict wellness regime that includes sleep tracking, dietary control, and exercise based on biomarkers.
His commentary on the 4am work post comes amid rising discourse around the dangers of glorified overwork, particularly among young professionals influenced by startup culture and social media trends.
As work culture evolves globally, Johnson’s remarks may resonate with a growing audience seeking a more holistic view of success—one that values endurance, health, and longevity over short-term sacrifice.
The post by web developer Priyanshu Tiwari, which showed a group of tech workers working into the early hours, drew praise for its message of perseverance. However, American tech entrepreneur and longevity researcher Bryan Johnson responded sharply, arguing that celebrating sleep-depriving routines can have serious long-term health consequences.
The original post featured an image of people coding late into the night with the caption: “It’s 4 AM, guys, but builders are building. What’s your excuse?” The message quickly gained traction online, with many users lauding the commitment and work ethic implied.
But Johnson, known for his investments in anti-ageing technologies and data-driven health optimisation, disagreed with the sentiment. In his response, he listed a series of physiological drawbacks associated with late-night work and screen exposure.
“You’re spending down your human capacity”
“It may feel heroic, but you’re spending down your human capacity,” Johnson wrote in his reply. “That posture reduces brain oxygen by 30%. The blue light suppresses melatonin, fragments deep sleep, and blunts next-day insulin sensitivity. The missed sleep raises cortisol, increases visceral fat and decays memory.”
Johnson’s remarks reflect a growing body of research indicating that long hours, poor sleep hygiene, and prolonged screen time can impair both physical and cognitive health. He has previously promoted rigorous health tracking and biological age reversal strategies, often sharing biometric data from his own experimental routines.
Divided opinions on social media
The millionaire’s comment sparked a divided reaction online. Some agreed with his warning, highlighting that glamorising excessive work at the cost of sleep and well-being sets a dangerous precedent in competitive work environments, particularly in technology and startups.
“Sacrificing your biology for hustle is a false flex. Yeah, it feels heroic now, but it’s a slow suicide mission,” one user wrote. “Efficiency over martyrdom. Build capacity, don’t burn it.”
Others questioned the fairness of Johnson’s perspective, noting that his financial success may have involved similar periods of intense work.
“Fair, but you're only able to make this comment from the comfort of your longevity-maxed-out Venice villa because you did the same at one point,” said one user. Another added, “Easy to give this advice when you were heads down for years and had a multi-million dollar exit.”
The wider debate on hustle culture
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions in global work culture—between the celebration of relentless productivity and emerging awareness around mental and physical health. In many industries, particularly in technology and startups, long working hours are often seen as a badge of honour.
India’s growing digital economy has witnessed the rapid expansion of tech startups, where late-night work is common. However, critics argue that normalising such habits can lead to burnout, reduced performance, and long-term health complications.
Public health experts have increasingly urged organisations and workers to adopt more sustainable practices, including better work-life balance, regular sleep, and ergonomic workspaces. Sleep deprivation, in particular, is linked to chronic illnesses, weakened immunity, and impaired decision-making.
Context: Bryan Johnson and health optimisation
Bryan Johnson is the founder of Kernel, a neurotechnology company, and Blueprint, a project aimed at maximising human longevity through scientific testing and lifestyle intervention. He is known for following a strict wellness regime that includes sleep tracking, dietary control, and exercise based on biomarkers.
His commentary on the 4am work post comes amid rising discourse around the dangers of glorified overwork, particularly among young professionals influenced by startup culture and social media trends.
As work culture evolves globally, Johnson’s remarks may resonate with a growing audience seeking a more holistic view of success—one that values endurance, health, and longevity over short-term sacrifice.
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