240 – How To Live Well With High P(Doom) – with Ben Pace, Brandon Hendrickson, Miranda Dixon-Luinenburg

Jun 25, 2025

Guest

Ben Pace

Guest

Miranda Dixon-Luinenburg

Guest

Brandon Hendrickson

Join Ben Pace, owner of Science is Weird, known for his innovative education models; Brandon Hendrickson, a 2023 book contest winner; and Miranda Dixon-Luinenburg, a resilient advocate working for Lightcone after facing high P(Doom). They discuss living well amid existential threats, the role of mortality in meaningful living, and the importance of community connections. The conversation dives into balancing joy and creativity with life's uncertainties while addressing how personal choices can shape our responses to potential doom.

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ANECDOTE

Brandon's Death Acceptance Journey

Brandon Hendrickson made himself comfortable with his own death through a mix of stoicism and exposure therapy.
He used a book, "Staring at the Sun," and an app prompting him to imagine his death five times a day for 10-15 years.

ADVICE

Live Fully Amid P-Doom

Stop procrastinating because there might not be a later.
Treat every interaction like it might be the last to cultivate gratitude.

INSIGHT

Compassion Amid Imminent Doom

When the world might end soon, helping others and easing their suffering can bring comfort.
Choosing care over chaos counters the misconception that doom leads to hedonism.

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If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies

Eliezer Yudkowsky

Nate Soares

This book delves into the potential risks of advanced artificial intelligence, arguing that the development of superintelligence could lead to catastrophic consequences for humanity. The authors present a compelling case for the need for careful consideration and regulation of AI development. They explore various scenarios and potential outcomes, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the challenges posed by rapidly advancing AI capabilities. The book is written in an accessible style, making complex ideas understandable to a broad audience. It serves as a call to action, urging policymakers and researchers to prioritize AI safety and prevent potential existential threats.

Staring at the Sun

Irvin Yalom

In 'Staring at the Sun,' Irvin D. Yalom delves into the ultimate existential concern of mortality and its effect on human anxiety. The book suggests that confronting one's own mortality can lead to a rearrangement of priorities, deeper communication with loved ones, a greater appreciation for life's beauty, and an increased willingness to take risks for personal fulfillment. Yalom uses personal stories and the wisdom of great thinkers to encourage direct engagement with others and to help overcome the terror of death, leading to happier and more meaningful lives.

The Denial of Death

Ernest Becker

In 'The Denial of Death', Ernest Becker discusses the psychological and philosophical implications of how people and cultures react to the concept of death. He argues that human civilization is a defense mechanism against the knowledge of our mortality, and that this denial is a necessary component of functioning in the world. Becker's work challenges traditional Freudian thought by positing that the primary repression is not sexuality, but rather the awareness of death. He also explores how this fear of death leads to the creation of 'hero systems' and symbols that help individuals transcend their mortality, and how this can result in violence and conflict when different immortality projects clash[2][5][4].