långivers

Långivers is a fictional concept used in science fiction and speculative settings to describe entities or systems that confer extended lifespans to other beings. The term is a neologism formed from the Swedish lång, meaning long, combined with a suffix implying agents or supporters of longevity.

In fictional portrayals, långivers can take various forms. They may be biological agents—engineered organisms or tissues that slow aging or repair damaged systems. They can be advanced technologies, such as devices or programs that stabilize cellular processes, reverse aspects of aging, or preserve cognitive function. They may also appear as hybrid or digital infrastructures that coordinate medical interventions, genetic updates, or consciousness preservation across lifetimes. Across different works, långivers are often depicted as transformative forces with wide-ranging social and ethical implications.

Relation to reality and interpretation: the concept of långivers is a narrative device rather than a scientific category. It is used to explore questions about identity, resource distribution, intergenerational equity, and the long-term consequences of markedly extended lifespans. Discussions around långivers in media generally situate them within broader debates on aging research, transhumanism, and the ethics of life extension.

See also: aging, longevity, biogerontology, immortality, transhumanism.