Modern Wisdom #678 - Avi Loeb - Will Humanity Ever Become An Interstellar Civilisation?
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Sep 9, 2023 Avi Loeb, a theoretical physicist and Harvard professor, unpacks the complexities of humanity becoming an interstellar civilization. He shares his groundbreaking work collecting materials from another solar system and discusses the innovative technology aiming to propel spacecraft to near-light speeds. Loeb explores the existential threats due to global warming and the sun's expansion, emphasizing the urgency of interstellar exploration. The conversation also delves into the potential of AI, the classification of civilizations, and the mysteries of extraterrestrial life.
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Advanced Civilizations as God
- An advanced technological civilization could be a good approximation of God.
- This civilization could potentially create a baby universe in a lab, just as humans create babies.
Moses and the Burning Bush
- Avi Loeb uses the example of Moses and the burning bush to illustrate how perceived miracles can be explained with technology.
- A cave dweller in New York City would view everything as a miracle, similar to Moses's experience.
Classifying Civilizations
- Classifying civilizations based on energy harvesting isn't enough; what matters is how they change their environment.
- True advancement lies in changing nature, like creating atomic bombs or even baby universes.