Modern Wisdom #346 - Rob Reid - How To Avoid Destroying Humanity
Jul 15, 2021
Rob Reid, entrepreneur and author, discusses existential risks that could threaten humanity's future. He dives into the perils of synthetic biology and the ethical dilemmas surrounding gain-of-function research. Rob emphasizes the lessons learned from past crises like COVID-19 and critiques the lack of investment in preventative measures. The conversation touches on the democratization of technology and its associated risks, advocating for stricter regulations. Throughout, he explores how we can navigate these challenges while fostering a safe technological future.
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Close Call with BFCs
- Rob Reid and Chris Williamson discuss a Reddit post about how humanity narrowly avoided ozone depletion.
- Choosing CFCs over the far more destructive BFCs was arbitrary, highlighting a past existential risk.
Blindness to Risk
- Humanity's blindness to existential risks stems from their novelty and limited attention.
- Existential threats, like nuclear weapons, have only existed for a short time relative to human history.
Cold War Near Misses
- Rob Reid recounts Cold War near-misses, like a Russian sub almost nuking the US fleet.
- Averted only by a third party's veto, this incident underscores the fragility of peace.
