The link between the long-termist community and powerful tech billionaires raises concerns as these individuals hold a neutral view on technology, potentially underestimating its impact. Some tech leaders believe that technology is essential for progress, despite existential risk assessments suggesting a 20% chance of human extinction this century, leading to a worrisome situation where crucial decisions affecting billions are made by individuals who may not fully grasp the risks posed by technology.
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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