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But mis-estimation goes both ways. Most academics were very optimistic about early general AI, for instance.

Absolutely. Also, there was a lot of misplaced optimism about helicopters replacing cars. But either way, I don't think the pessimism is justified.

I just find it a little difficult to believe that the one thing to have truly plagued mankind for all his existence (death) has suddenly received a serious blow. It has literally never happened before (as far as we know), and I'm not saying it can't, but current technology is like an infant if you consider it in the scale of what could be. I don't think death is just some easily fixed malfunction, but maybe many do.

I don't find it that hard to believe. I think of doctors as highly trained mechanics. We've already figured out how to keep old cars going forever. Humans are several orders of magnitude more complex but the basic idea is the same: fix the problems that kill you, one at a time.

How is death the "only thing" that has truly plagued mankind?

What about the need to eat? Relieve ourselves? The need for love and social connection?

These are universal as well, and there are many other things that we have always been faced with.

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