David Deutsch on the infinite reach of knowledge
The TED Interview
Is There a Limit to the Influence of Knowledge?
In principle, it is possible for this species that has evolved on earth to have a future that is imaginable. It may not happen, but it is imaginable where it can become indefinitely more influential in our solar system. And so it's the fact that that is possible, in principle, which creates this anchor - there's no limit to how powerful an influence it can eventually have. Starting with oxford and central heating, and moving out in theory indefinitely beyond. The cosmic significance must involve things beyond everyday life. But everyday life as we see it would have been regarded as completely magical even a few centuries ago,. let alone for the most of the period of the human species.
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