Modern Wisdom

#512 - Will MacAskill - How Long Could Humanity Continue For?

Aug 13, 2022

Will MacAskill, a philosopher and co-founder of Effective Altruism, discusses the importance of long-term thinking for humanity's future. He explores existential risks, the implications of technological advancements, and the need for moral flexibility in governance. MacAskill emphasizes how today's actions can shape the lives of trillions to come. He also critiques societal norms, like the 'Happy Birthday' song, and advocates for proactive measures to ensure a thriving future while navigating potential threats like engineered pandemics.

01:34:14

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Will MacAskill

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Quick takeaways

Long-term thinking emphasizes the need to consider the impact of our actions on future generations.

The risk of extinction underscores the importance of safeguarding civilization and advancing beneficial technologies.

Population growth's role in spreading extinction risk and the need for differential technological development for a safer future.

Deep dives

Importance of Long-Term Thinking and Future Generations

Long-term thinking emphasizes the need to consider the impact of our actions on future generations. It questions how our decisions today will affect the world in 100,000 years or even 8 billion years, highlighting the significance of leaving a positive legacy for our descendants. The podcast discusses the critical juncture we face in shaping the 'history of the future,' stressing the importance of avoiding values that could lead to catastrophic outcomes.

Intro

5min

Navigating Humanity's Future

23min

The Limitations of Cultural Lock-In: A Critique of the Happy Birthday Song

5min

The Cultural Dynamics of Norm Enforcement and Social Change

5min

Harmonizing Happiness and Humanity's Future

2min

Assessing the Risks of Engineered Pandemics and Future Technologies

5min

Navigating Governance and Existential Risks

27min

Navigating Humanity's Future Risks

25min

Empowering Actions for a Better Future

3min

Will MacAskill is a philosopher, ethicist, and one of the originators of the Effective Altruism movement.

Humans understand that long term thinking is a good idea, that we need to provide a good place for future generations to live. We try to leave the world better than when we arrived for this very reason. But what about the world in one hundred thousand years? Or 8 billion? If there's trillions of human lives still to come, how should that change the way we act right now?

Expect to learn why we're living through a particularly crucial time in the history of the future, the dangers of locking in any set of values, how to avoid the future being ruled by a malevolent dictator, whether the world has too many or too few people on it, how likely a global civilisational collapse is, why technological stagnation is a death sentence and much more...

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