Episode · Modern Wisdom · 2022-08-13
Chris Williamson & Will MacAskill: books mentioned on Modern Wisdom #512
How Long Could Humanity Continue For? - Will MacAskill - #512
Will MacAskill is a philosopher, ethicist, and one of the originators of the Effective Altruism movement. Humans understand that long term thinking is a good idea, that we need to provide a good place for future generations to live.
Chris Williamson discussed The Precipice by Toby Ord and Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom. William MacAskill discussed 1984 by George Orwell and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Precipice
The Precipice by Toby Ord is a comprehensive examination of existential risks and the future of humanity, assessing the various perils that could threaten the survival of civilization.
Discussed“it's nice to hear or to think that you've been focused so much on long-termism because I fell in love with the precipice by Toby OD that I know you work with and close friend of mine he he's phenomenal man”
Where to get it
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1984
1984 by George Orwell is a classic dystopian novel depicting a totalitarian regime characterized by extreme surveillance, historical denial, and psychological manipulation.
Discussed“depending on what that ideology is like could be very bad indeed you know some something like what you got in 1984 George Orwell with the handmaid's tale Mark outward”
Where to get it
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The Handmaid's Tale
The Handmaid's Tale is Margaret Atwood's dystopian novel about a totalitarian society where women's rights are stripped away and a select few are forced into reproductive servitude.
Discussed“depending on what that ideology is like could be very bad indeed you know some something like what you got in 1984 George Orwell with the handmaid's tale Mark outward”
Where to get it
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Superintelligence
Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom is an influential examination of the potential paths, scenarios, and existential risks associated with the emergence of artificial superintelligence.
Discussed“I was like the early drafts of Nick bostom super intelligence I was part of these seminar rooms”
Where to get it
