The insights shared in the snip highlight two extreme scenarios representing eccentric catastrophes: a catastrophic event leading to the collapse of food chains and mass starvation, versus a utopian world with advanced technology, world peace, and harmony with nature. In both cases, the tiny realization of human potential, compared to the vast untapped potential represented by the countless possible lives and experiences, leads to a catastrophic outcome.
Paris Marx is joined by Émile P. Torres to discuss why longtermism isn’t just about long-term thinking, but provides a framework for Silicon Valley billionaires to justify ignoring the crises facing humanity so they can accumulate wealth and go after space colonization.
Émile P. Torres is a PhD candidate at Leibniz University Hannover and the author of the forthcoming book Human Extinction: A History of Thinking About the End of Humanity. Follow Phil on Twitter at @xriskology.
Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Follow the podcast (@techwontsaveus) and host Paris Marx (@parismarx) on Twitter, and support the show on Patreon.
Find out more about Harbinger Media Network at harbingermedianetwork.com.
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