In this podcast, the speaker talks about the importance of focusing attention on not ignoring the big risks like natural or engineered pandemics, which have the potential to wipe out humans and animals across the globe, and the need to generate more capabilities to deal with a variety of potential threats.
Sam Harris, in a four-hour podcast, discusses how bioengineering viruses can lead to the destruction of human civilization. The world of bioengineering is making it easier to engineer pathogens, and while some worry about the consequences, others remain optimistic.
The human species is unmatched when it comes to survival and our ability to observe and shape reality, which is why we can create machines that are smarter than us. Despite future advancements, our well-suited ability to reality will still be the driving force behind technological progress.
The speaker believes that people are becoming more aware of the importance of collective action in combatting climate change and are less willing to fall for green washing or PR tricks. Though there may be a focus on individual actions in the short term, people are beginning to recognize the need for collective efforts.
The possibility of death in difficult tasks excites some people, but others, like the speaker, use it as an excuse to avoid doing them, like going to Mars.