Title:
The precipice : existential risk and the future of humanity / Toby Ord.
Author:
Ord, Toby, 1979- author.
Publication Information:
New York : Hachette Books, [2020]
©2020
Call Number:
HM901 .O73 2020
Abstract:
"Drawing on over a decade of research, ... [the author] explores the cutting-edge science behind the risks we face. It puts them in the context of the greater story of humanity: showing how ending these risks is among the most pressing moral issues of our time. And it points the way forward, to the actions and strategies that can safeguard humanity"-- Provided by publisher.
ISBN:
9780316484916
Physical Description:
x, 468 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm.
Contents:
Introduction -- How we got here -- Where we might go -- The precipice -- Understanding existential risk -- Looking to the present -- Looking to our future -- Looking to our past -- Civilization virtues -- Cosmic significance -- Uncertainty -- Our neglect of existential risks -- Asteroids & comets -- Supervolcanic eruptions -- Stellar explosions -- Other natural risks -- The total natural risk -- Nuclear weapons -- Climate change -- Environmental damage -- Pandemics -- Unaligned artificial intelligence -- Dystopian scenarios -- Other risks -- Quantifying the risks -- Combining and comparing risks -- Risk factors -- Which risks? -- Grand strategy for humanity -- Risks without precedent -- International coordination -- Technological progress -- Research on existential risk -- What you can do -- Duration -- Scale -- Quality -- Choices.
Personal Author:
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