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#72 - Toby Ord on the precipice and humanity's potential futures

80,000 Hours Podcast

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Pivotal Moments and Existential Risks

This chapter explores the dynamics of uniform priors versus nuanced statistical models in predicting significant historical events and their impact on humanity's future. It emphasizes the concept of existential risk, particularly the threats posed by catastrophic events like extinction, and how achieving 'existential security' is crucial for a sustainable future. The discussion further highlights the importance of recognizing pivotal moments in history while navigating the complexities of climate change and societal responses to environmental challenges.

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