Future Tense Existential hope vs Existential Fear
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Sep 4, 2025 S. J. Beard, a Senior Research Associate at Cambridge University and author of "Existential Hope," delves into the balance between existential hope and fear, particularly in the face of threats like climate change and AI. He emphasizes the power of community and collective responsibility in addressing these issues. In contrast, Neil Selwyn, Professor at Monash University and author of "Digital Degrowth," critiques current digital trends and advocates for decoupling technology from consumer capitalism to foster sustainability and shared values.
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What Counts As Existential Risk
- Existential risk counts outcomes that would wipe out humanity or cause irreversible global collapse.
- S.J. Beard studies drivers, probabilities, and mitigation strategies to reduce those catastrophic risks.
Science Drives Modern Existential Fears
- Public anxiety about existential threats is rising and grounded increasingly in scientific evidence.
- Beard says the actual level of many risks has grown alongside our awareness of them.
Control Vulnerabilities, Not Just Hazards
- Distinguish hazards (external threats) from risk, which includes our vulnerabilities.
- Beard argues vulnerabilities are often more controllable than the external hazard itself.
