Sure, but the point is there would have to be a Gilbert-like mechanism for every subsystem of the body. And Gilbert isn't "free" -- it comes at cost. The body

Sure, but the point is there would have to be a Gilbert-like mechanism for every subsystem of the body. And Gilbert isn't "free" -- it comes at cost. The body is a machine, and engineering is full of tradeoffs. People with high abilities in one area (geniuses) often have low abilities in others. Optimizing some protein for your heart isn't neutral for the rest of your body, etc. The point about the stars is that evolution has "determined" that it can be optimal to take a ton of risks and die early than to live safely for 200 years (in some cases, of course evolution favors diversity too, which is why you see centenarians). If you could get reward without risk, then it wouldn't work that way -- the "stars" would live forever creating great music and not drink themselves to death. But life is full of tradeoffs and reward involves risk.