Understanding Virus Is Better Than Understanding Nature

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If we have sequencing based monitoring systems in place everywhere, we'll pick them up nearly immediately. And if we act tried, we could probably build comfortable, even stylish equipment that keeps you from getting infected with viruses. But it's really hard to make the argument that the threat of natural pandemics could ever be enough to justify creating that risk of deliberate misuse which could be so much worse. Because humans make better terrorists than nature. Even if we can't make viruss worse than nature, we make better terrorists.

In this episode of the podcast, Rob Reid and Kevin Esvelt discuss USAID’s new “Deep VZN” program, which aims to discover new pandemic-grade viruses and publish their genomes to the world. Esvelt estimates that there are currently around 30,000 people who could then easily build them.

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Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.