Ninety Seconds to Midnight: The Dangerous Philosophy of Silicon Valley (Encore)

A new philosophy steeped in the ideas of Artificial Intelligence, space colonization, and the long-term survival of the human species is gaining ground among the wealthy.  However, there are reasons to question its goals and its ethics. Longtermists believe that not only could we colonize space and create simulated humans in giant servers around stars, but that we must. Anything short of a trillion-year multi-planetary existence for our species would be a moral failing. They also believe that all of our ethical actions should focus on the countless lives that may exist in that dim future, instead of on the people alive today. Is this the kind of ethics we should all accept, however? Philosopher and historian Émile P. Torres joins us to discuss Longtermism and its dangerous pitfalls.

Featuring: Émile P. Torres, Philosopher and Historian

Credits: Host: Salima Hamirani Co-host: Amy Gastelum Executive Director: Jina Chung Segment Editor + Interim Senior Producer: Jessica Partnow Staff Producers: Anita Johnson, Salima Hamirani, Lucy Kang, Amy Gastelum Audio Engineering: Jeff Emtman

Music Credits:

Rocky Marsiano – Whatshappenin Blear Moon – Ongoing Cases Alex Productions – Born Dilating TImes – Faded Flowers Danny Bale – Fern Music (Extended)

Learn More: 

Emile P. Torres Article on Longtermism

Making Contact is an award-winning, nationally syndicated radio show and podcast featuring narrative storytelling and thought-provoking interviews. We cover the most urgent issues of our time and the people on the ground building a more just world.