Science, Ethics, and the Future

In this episode, Brian Tomasik reads his essay, "Do Video-Game Characters Matter Morally?" He suggests that video-game characters, while exceedingly simple, exhibit some properties of more complex algorithmic systems like animals and hence may matter ethically to an extremely tiny degree. The photo for this episode is by Evan-Amos (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:N64-Console-Set.jpg

In this episode, Brian Tomasik reads his essay, "Do Video-Game Characters Matter Morally?" He suggests that video-game characters, while exceedingly simple, exhibit some properties of more complex algorithmic systems like animals and hence may matter ethically to an extremely tiny degree. The photo for this episode is by Evan-Amos (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:N64-Console-Set.jpg

In this episode, Brian Tomasik reads his essay, "Differential Intellectual Progress as a Positive-Sum Project." He discusses the benefits and risks of technological growth and the importance of improving social science and wisdom faster than powerful technologies. The photo for this episode is by Con-struct (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Microscope_icon.svg

In this episode, Brian Tomasik reads his essay, "Differential Intellectual Progress as a Positive-Sum Project." He discusses the benefits and risks of technological growth and the importance of improving social science and wisdom faster than powerful technologies. The photo for this episode is by Con-struct (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Microscope_icon.svg

In this episode, Brian Tomasik reads his essay, "Risks of Astronomical Future Suffering." He argues that space colonization is likely to cause more total suffering, but those aiming to reduce suffering should pursue cooperative approaches for making the future more humane. The photo for this episode is public domain, courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech.

In this episode, Brian Tomasik reads his essay, "Risks of Astronomical Future Suffering." He argues that space colonization is likely to cause more total suffering, but those aiming to reduce suffering should pursue cooperative approaches for making the future more humane. The photo for this episode is public domain, courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech.

In this episode, Brian Tomasik reads his essay, "Thoughts on Robots, AI, and Intelligence Explosion." He outlines some artificial-intelligence scenarios and encourages society to think more about how to avert future suffering that may result from undesirable AI outcomes. The photo for this episode is by Jiuguang Wang (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nao_robot.jpg

In this episode, Brian Tomasik reads his essay, "Thoughts on Robots, AI, and Intelligence Explosion." He outlines some artificial-intelligence scenarios and encourages society to think more about how to avert future suffering that may result from undesirable AI outcomes. The photo for this episode is by Jiuguang Wang (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nao_robot.jpg

In this episode, Brian Tomasik reads his essay, "The Importance of Wild-Animal Suffering." He encourages animal advocates to "ensure that future human intelligence is used to prevent wild-animal suffering, rather than to multiply it."

In this episode, Brian Tomasik reads his essay, "The Importance of Wild-Animal Suffering." He encourages animal advocates to "ensure that future human intelligence is used to prevent wild-animal suffering, rather than to multiply it."