Thomas Moynihan
Historian and writer interested in how society's framing of time and human extinction have developed over millennia. He is a research affiliate at Cambridge University's Center for the Study of Existential Risk and an affiliate researcher at Berggruen Institute's Antikythera Program.
Best podcasts with Thomas Moynihan
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Dec 8, 2025 • 1h 27min
The Limitless Future w/ Thomas Moynihan
In this engaging discussion, historian of ideas Thomas Moynihan explores the nature of the future as open and contingent. He delves into how perception shifts, tracing the moment humans realized the future wasn't predetermined. Moynihan contrasts religious apocalypses with the secular notion of extinction and discusses how nonhuman minds, like dolphins, reflect our own fragility. He also tackles the challenges of post-apocalyptic narratives and the philosophical implications of plenitude, urging a rethinking of survival duties amidst planetary risks.
Jul 29, 2025 • 58min
How We Discovered Our Own Extinction (with Thomas Moynihan and Benjamin Bratton)
Thomas Moynihan, a historian focused on human extinction, teams up with Benjamin Bratton, a philosopher of technology. Together, they explore how humanity's understanding of time and extinction has evolved, shifting from religious prophecies to scientific realities. They discuss the cosmic significance of extinction, the ethical implications of AI and planetary intelligence, and how these ideas change our obligations to future generations. Their conversation dives deep into the interconnectedness of life and technology, urging listeners to rethink existence and responsibility.
