Allison Duettmann & Beatrice Erkers | A Vision of Existential Hope for the New Year
Dec 27, 2024
Join Beatrice Erkers and Allison Duettmann as they envision a hopeful future! They discuss the power of moral circle expansion and how neurotechnology could deepen our empathy, even for animals. The duo emphasizes the importance of worldbuilding and creating actionable optimism in a world filled with challenges. They advocate for responsible innovation while navigating the transformative impacts of technology. This insightful conversation inspires us to reflect on our roles in shaping a brighter tomorrow.
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Duettmann's Journey
Allison Duettmann's childhood existential angst led her to existentialist philosophy and longevity.
This sparked an interest in Foresight Institute's work on positive futures shaped by technology.
insights INSIGHT
Foresight's Focus
Foresight Institute focuses on AI, bio, nano, neurotech, and space, foreseeing their interconnectedness.
These technologies offer potential for positive change if developed beneficially.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Erkers' Transition
Beatrice Erkers will transition to directing Foresight's Existential Hope program.
Her pragmatic yet inspired perspective is valued.
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Published in 1986, 'Engines of Creation' is a seminal work by K. Eric Drexler that introduces and predicts the vast potential of nanotechnology. The book discusses molecular assemblers, which can construct objects atom by atom, and explores their implications for fields such as medicine, environmental science, and space colonization. Drexler also addresses the social, moral, and governmental systems needed to manage the immense power of nanotechnology, including cautionary scenarios like the 'gray goo' hypothesis. The book is notable for its visionary and sometimes controversial predictions, which have influenced both scientific and science fiction communities[1][3][5].
The Beginning of Infinity
Explanations That Transform the World
David Deutsch
In this groundbreaking book, David Deutsch argues that explanations have a fundamental place in the universe and that improving them is the basic regulating principle of all successful human endeavor. The book takes readers on a journey through various fields of science, history of civilization, art, moral values, and the theory of political institutions. Deutsch explains how we form new explanations and drop bad ones, and discusses the conditions under which progress, which he argues is potentially boundless, can and cannot happen. He emphasizes the importance of good explanations, which he defines as those that are 'hard to vary' and have 'reach', and argues that these explanations are central to the Enlightenment way of thinking and to all scientific and philosophical progress.
Beatrice Erkers and Allison Duettmann
What if we could reimagine the future from a place of hope instead of fear?
In this special episode of the Existential Hope Podcast, Allison Duettmann and Beatrice Erkers turn the tables and interview each other instead of a guest, sharing insights into their journeys, hopes, and visions for humanity. Together, they explore big concepts like moral circle expansion, how neurotech could deepen empathy (even with animals!), and why worldbuilding in 2045 can help us envision and create better futures today. Prepare for the new year by diving into strategies for building a future worth striving for.
Existential Hope was created to collect positive and possible scenarios for the future so that we can have more people commit to creating a brighter future, and to begin mapping out the main developments and challenges that need to be navigated to reach it. Existential Hope is a Foresight Institute project.
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