US tech entrepreneur, venture capitalist and longevity advocate Bryan Johnson has criticised a viral social media post by an Indian web developer that appeared to celebrate working through the night. The post, which featured a photo of young tech professionals coding at 4 AM, sparked debate online after Johnson warned that such a lifestyle has serious health consequences and should not be glorified.
The post was shared by web developer Priyanshu Tiwari on X, and quickly gained traction, drawing thousands of views and comments. The accompanying caption read, “It’s 4 AM guys, but builders are building. What’s your excuse.” Many users praised the dedication and hustle of the group, applauding their work ethic and perseverance.
It's 4 AM guys, but builders are building.
— priyanshu.sol (@priyanshudotsol) May 24, 2025
What's your excuse pic.twitter.com/E83NyUCeIw
Johnson, however, responded critically, highlighting the long-term damage such work patterns can cause. Best known for his intensive anti-ageing routine and scientific approach to health and wellness, Johnson argued that sacrificing sleep and working in such postures significantly harms the body and mind.
“It may feel heroic but you’re spending down your human capacity. That posture reduces brain oxygen by 30%. The blue light suppress melatonin, fragments deep-sleep, blunts next-day insulin sensitivity. The missed sleep raises cortisol, increases visceral-fat and decays memory,” the VC said.
Johnson’s remarks sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some users echoed his concerns and supported the call for a healthier work-life balance, others pushed back, arguing that the demands of building a career in the tech industry often require long and irregular hours.
I don’t know if this reduction in “brain oxygen” is relevant to any matters of performance or health. But if so, can you explain the evidence for this claim? It seems like you’d have to approach near deadly levels of blood oxygen saturation for that to be so.
— Paul C. Jeffries (@PaulJeffries) May 26, 2025
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.
— Barely Investible Capital Management Ltd (@LowAlphaHighVol) May 26, 2025
Savage response! But true! At 31 I can confirm. Every hour of missed sleep, puts a layer of fog on my brain for the next day! Sleep is super important!
— Cristian Uibar (@cristianuibar) May 26, 2025
The late night also means you retain fewer things that you learned in the day. Having a negative compounding effect if you repeat this behaviour over time.
— Andrew Ward (@AndrewLeeWard) May 26, 2025
Johnson, who has become a prominent voice in the health and anti-ageing space, follows a rigorous daily regimen that includes optimised nutrition, controlled sleep cycles, and continuous health monitoring. He has consistently advocated for a shift away from hustle culture in favour of practices that promote long-term well-being.
The online exchange has brought renewed attention to the ongoing debate around work culture in the tech sector, especially in fast-growing ecosystems like India’s, where young professionals often face pressure to demonstrate relentless dedication.
