“Galactic x-risks: Obstacles to Accessing the Cosmic Endowment” by JordanStone

Jun 29, 2025

01:01:57

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Episode notes

Once we expand to other star systems, we may begin a self-propagating expansion of human civilisation throughout the galaxy. However, there are existential risks potentially capable of destroying a galactic civilisation, like self-replicating machines, strange matter, and vacuum decay. Without an extremely widespread and effective governance system, the eventual creation of a galaxy-ending x-risk seems almost inevitable due to cumulative chances of initiation over time and across multiple independent actors. So galactic x-risks may severely limit the total potential value that human civilisation can attain in the long-term future. The requirements for a governance system to prevent galactic x-risks are outlined, and updates for space governance and big picture cause prioritisation are discussed.

Introduction

I recently came across a series of posts from nearly a decade ago, starting with a post by George Dvorsky in io9 called “12 Ways Humanity Could Destroy the Entire Solar System”. It's a [...]

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Outline:

(01:00) Introduction

(03:07) Existential risks to a Galactic Civilisation

(03:58) Threats Limited to a One Planet Civilisation

(04:33) Threats to a small Spacefaring Civilisation

(07:02) Galactic Existential Risks

(07:22) Self-replicating machines

(09:27) Strange matter

(10:36) Vacuum decay

(11:42) Subatomic Particle Decay

(12:32) Time travel