Martin Rees Predicts the Future of Humanity and Science! (#366)
Nov 11, 2023
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Renowned scientist Martin Rees predicts the future of humanity and science in an engaging conversation with Brian Keating. They cover topics such as artificial intelligence, zoology, the debate on the steady-state of the universe, theories of everything, benefits of the pandemic, blockchain, Bitcoin, ethics, and more.
The podcast explores various themes and ideas in Lord Martin Rees' book on the future, including long-term threats, the special century humanity is in, and the relationship between science, technology, and human nature.
Lord Martin Rees discusses the challenges faced by young academics, such as the delay in receiving grants and the increasing difficulty in gaining independence, and emphasizes the need to attract talented individuals to academia.
Lord Martin Rees highlights the potential of artificial intelligence in scientific advancements, mentioning its role in solving complex problems and its potential in solving complex mathematical problems related to string theory.
Deep dives
The challenges of trust and security in society
The podcast discusses how much effort goes into making things secure and the impact it has on society. It highlights that our economy allocates significant resources to computer security, air security, and other safety measures, which would not be necessary if trust among individuals was higher. The podcast points out that blockchain technology, while having certain advantages, is a symptom of the lack of trust in society, as its main purpose is to provide security that wouldn't be needed if trust was more prevalent.
Exploring Lord Martin Reese's book on the future
The podcast covers Lord Martin Reese's book on the future, which delves into various themes and ideas. The book examines long-term threats, the special century humanity is in, and the relationship between science, technology, and human nature. Lord Martin Reese also discusses his own views on topics such as Karl Popper's ideas, the demarcation hypothesis, and the nature of science, including how theories are evaluated and the importance of empirical tests. He also touches on the concept of a theory of everything and its implications for the scientific community.
The challenges and opportunities in academia and aging scientists
The podcast addresses the challenges faced by young academics, including the delay in receiving grants and the increasing difficulty in gaining independence. It explores the impact on academia and the potential stagnation if talented and flexible individuals are deterred from pursuing academic careers. Lord Martin Reese also reflects on the role of older scientists and the need for a balance between teaching and continued research. The podcast highlights the potential resurgence of independent scientists and the need to attract talented individuals to academia.
Looking at the pandemic and its effects on society
The podcast discusses the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on various aspects of society. It raises the question of whether there may be any positive outcomes or 'COVID dividends' as a result of the crisis. One potential benefit highlighted is the realization that much of the travel conducted before the pandemic may be unnecessary, leading to more efficient work practices. The podcast also touches on the speed of vaccine development and the role of technologies like blockchain and Bitcoin in society.
Reducing Inequalities and Prioritizing New Technology for Sustainable Development
Lord Martin Reese emphasizes the need to reduce inequalities within and between countries. He believes that investing in new technology, particularly in clean energy and energy storage, can help provide affordable carbon-free energy for the world. By prioritizing the development and accessibility of clean energy solutions, countries like India and Africa can transition to clean energy and achieve a better standard of living. Lord Martin also highlights the importance of sustainable intensive farming and artificial meat production to ensure food security for a growing global population.
The Potential of Technology and the Importance of Collaboration in Science
Lord Martin Reese discusses the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific advancements. He mentions that AI already plays a significant role in solving complex problems, such as protein folding. Furthermore, he suggests that AI could potentially aid in solving complex mathematical problems, such as those related to string theory. Lord Martin also emphasizes the importance of collaboration and interaction in science, particularly for young researchers who benefit from informal discussions and feedback from senior scientists. While acknowledging the potential drawbacks of social media, he encourages scientists to engage in social activities, such as blogging and sharing their work, to promote wider dissemination of scientific knowledge.
What’s written in our stars? Here to read humanity's horoscope is none other than Lord Martin Rees!
Lord Martin Rees has played a huge role in my career and is an inspiration to me and millions of scientists around the world. There is literally nothing beyond his purview, and our conversation bore this out -- we covered everything from A to Z: artificial intelligence to zoology! Nothing was off-limits – we even shared our mutual and controversial distaste for alchemy and astrology!
Lord Rees of Ludlow, the Astronomer Royal, is the Co-founder of the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and an Emeritus Professor of Cosmology & Astrophysics at Cambridge University. He is the 38th Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. He is the author of ‘On the Future’ and 10 other books and the 60th President of the Royal Society.
Key Takeaways:
Intro (00:00)
Judging a book by its cover: On The Future (01:48)
Reading the Queen's horoscope (03:08)
Do physicists envy mathematicians? (06:46)
Why is Einstein so often a target of criticism? (10:21)
The steady-state of the universe debate and cosmology's earlier days (15:56)
Martin's prediction that the CMB could be polarized (22:02)
Theories of Everything. Do we need them? (29:12)
Complex vs. complicated (37:30)
There may be some benefits to the pandemic! (56:09)
What do you think about blockchain and Bitcoin? (57:56)
How coins got their ridges (59:51)
What is your ethical will? (1:16:14)
Outro (1:26:10)
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