30. De-extinction, The Whole Earth, and Way More|Stewart Brand
Jun 12, 2018
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Stewart Brand, influential over six decades, discusses de-extinction, the Whole Earth Catalog, internet evolution, and genetic rescue efforts. Topics include visionary tech demos, the Long Now Foundation's 10,000-year clock, and climate change solutions like solar geoengineering.
Stewart Brand's versatile career spans environmental activism, online communities, and de-extinction projects.
Brand challenges traditional environmental perspectives, emphasizing the evolving nature of environmental challenges and solutions.
From military service to countercultural icon, Brand's diverse experiences shape his influential journey.
Brand's foresight in technology, from founding the WELL to engaging with genetic engineering for de-extinction projects, reflects his innovative impact on digital communication and biological conservation.
Deep dives
Stuart Brand's Diverse and Pioneering Career
Stuart Brand's career spans a broad spectrum of impactful ventures, from being a founding figure in the environmental movement to creating the influential online community 'The Well'. His involvement in history's first hackers conference and his current project of resurrecting extinct species with bioengineer George Church showcase his wide-ranging interests and contributions to innovation.
Influencing the Environmental Movement
Stuart Brand's interactions with figures like Paul Ehrlich highlight his significant role in the environmental movement. Ehrlich's focus on population biology and the impact of overpopulation reflected the concerns of the time, but Brand recognized the limitations of these ideas as human demography shifted. The discussion underscores the complexities and evolving perspectives regarding environmental challenges.
From Military Service to Countercultural Icon
Brand's journey from military service to a countercultural icon encapsulates his diverse experiences. Starting with ROTC at Stanford, his path diverged into the world of art, psychedelics, and countercultural movements. His involvement in events like the Trips Festival, where he brought together creative individuals, showcases his role in shaping the cultural landscape of the 60s and beyond.
Anticipating Technological Trends and Innovation
Brand's foresight and engagement with emerging technologies, such as computer programming and the development of the Whole Earth Electronic Link (the WELL), demonstrate his ability to anticipate and influence technological trends. His visionary perspectives on information accessibility, highlighted by the statement 'information wants to be free and expensive,' not only mirror his innovative thinking but also his impact on shaping digital communication and the online landscape.
Building a 10,000-Year Clock
The Long Now Foundation, led by Danny Hillis and Stewart Brand, embarked on the ambitious project of building a 300-foot high clock in Western Texas meant to last at least 10,000 years. The clock is designed to operate without traditional power sources or mechanics, with intricate features like a slow-ticking pendulum and ceramic surfaces to avoid lubrication issues.
Reviving Extinct Species
Through Revive and Restore, a project initiated by the Long Now Foundation and supported by organizations like National Geographic, researchers aim to revive extinct species using genetic engineering. For example, efforts are underway to clone black-footed ferrets from preserved cell lines to combat inbreeding issues and reintroduce genetic diversity into the population.
Reintroducing Woolly Mammoths for Conservation
With the guidance of George Church, scientists are attempting to edit genes from woolly mammoths into Asian elephant cell lines to develop a cold-tolerant hybrid. The envisioned herds of woolly mammoths would help restore grasslands in the far north, counteracting tundra growth caused by climate change and reducing carbon emissions by promoting a more stable ecosystem.
Over six consecutive decades, Stewart Brand has impacted society, tech and science in outlandishly diverse ways. This truly unhurried conversation explores the scope of his intensely original American life.
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