This week more clearly defines what an existential risk is and the potential outcomes it could lead to (extinction, unrecoverable collapse, and unrecoverable dystopia). The idea of an intergenerational global public good is introduced.
Existential Risk ('x-risk')
Which cause do you consider to be most realistic to cause an x-risk this century?
What is meant by a definition of Existential Risk 'threaten to destroy Humanity's long-term potential'?
What is meant by humanity?
What is meant by potential?
What is meant by destroy?
What is the difference between an Existential Catastrophe & a Global Catastrophe?
Imagine a devastating nuclear war killing 99% of world's population. Civilization will eventually be rebuild to its former heights. Now compare this with a war killing a full 100% of world's population.
The second war would be worse - but by how much worse?
What are examples of different scenarios are there for Existential Catastrophes apart from Extinction?
How likely do you think x-risk is?
Which x-risk do you think is most likely?
What about the perspective of already being in an existential catastrophe?
Neglect
Is there neglect or actually non-neglect for x-risks?
What x-risks are you or society aware of?
What x-risks are you or society not aware of?
What are the possible reasons for neglect of some and non-neglect of other x-risks?
Why do you think climate-change is less neglected in comparison to e.g., Engineered Pandemics?
Taking Ideas Seriously
What do the ideas imply, if taken seriously?
What can be done to support the reduction of neglect of x-risk and/or make it more attractive?
