Effective Altruism: An Introduction – 80,000 Hours (April 2021)

Two: Dr Toby Ord on why the long-term future matters more than anything else & what to do about it

20 snips
Apr 12, 2021
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Power And Precarity Of Modern Technology

  • Technological progress has massively increased human power and prosperity but also created unprecedented extinction risks.
  • Recent centuries concentrate risks (nuclear, biotech, AI) that could end humanity if we don't respond wisely.
INSIGHT

Future Generations Dominate Moral Value

  • The core value at stake is the welfare and achievements of countless future generations.
  • If we extinguish humanity now we could forfeit vastly more flourishing than we've seen so far.
INSIGHT

Trajectory Changes Can Rival Extinction Prevention

  • Long-term effects magnify the importance of many actions beyond immediate consequences.
  • Trajectory changes that modestly improve the long-run can rival preventing extinction in total value.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app