AI Snips
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Humanity's Precipice and Potential
- Humanity could thrive for millions of years or even trillions if it survives existential risks.
- Our history is on a precipice where modern power technologies pose risks that could end our future potential.
Shift to Existential Risk Focus
- Toby Ord shifted focus from global poverty to existential risk after meeting Nick Bostrom.
- He initially found the existential risk perspective contrarian and struggled with its abstract nature.
Defining Existential Catastrophe
- Existential catastrophes include extinction, irreversible civilization collapse, or locked-in dystopias.
- These outcomes destroy humanity's long-term potential, not necessarily requiring complete extinction.