The Coming Storm S2: 7. Wonderland
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Oct 23, 2024 In this engaging conversation, transhumanist thinker Natasha Vita-More and computer scientist Anders Sandberg dive into the visionary ideas of the 1990s Extropian movement. They explore the risks and promises of AI, examining fears of machines taking control and the impact on democracy. Both guests reflect on how early internet communities shaped today's tech landscape. They discuss the ethical dilemmas of augmented humanity and the intricate balance between innovation and caution in our rapidly evolving technological future.
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Max's Inspiration
- Max O'Connor, inspired by the moon landing, developed an interest in life extension after his father's death.
- This led him to cryonics and a desire to radically reimagine the future.
Extropians' Formation
- Max helped build a community of futurists called Extropians, focused on AI, nanotech, and immortality.
- They created a magazine and even their own greeting, embracing a philosophy of constant improvement.
Meeting of the Minds
- Max met Natasha at Timothy Leary's Thanksgiving dinner, bonding over their shared transhumanist vision.
- Both having faced mortality, they married and became key figures in the transhumanist movement.