On the Future: An Interview with Martin Rees

How can humanity survive the next century of climate change, a growing population, and emerging technological threats? Where do we stand now, and what steps can we take to cooperate and address our greatest existential risks? In this special podcast episode, Ariel speaks with cosmologist Martin Rees about his new book, On the Future: Prospects for Humanity, which discusses humanity’s existential risks and the role that technology plays in determining our collective future. Topics discussed in this episode include: - Why Martin remains a technical optimist even as he focuses on existential risks - The economics and ethics of climate change - How AI and automation will make it harder for Africa and the Middle East to economically develop - How high expectations for health care and quality of life also put society at risk - Why growing inequality could be our most underappreciated global risk - Martin’s view that biotechnology poses greater risk than AI - Earth’s carrying capacity and the dangers of overpopulation - Space travel and why Martin is skeptical of Elon Musk’s plan to colonize Mars - The ethics of artificial meat, life extension, and cryogenics - How intelligent life could expand into the galaxy - Why humans might be unable to answer fundamental questions about the universe