November 20, 2024

Agenda

1. Starter: 11/20

   • Is technology a part of the problem or part of the solution? Explain using a specific, real life example.

2. Threats vs. Solution

   Group Task #1: Threats vs. Solutions
   Choose two of the following: one that you feel is most easily solved by technology and one that you feel where tech does more harm than good.

   • Climate change catastrophe

   • Asteroid impact

   • Nuclear destruction

   • Global pandemic

   • AI singularity

   • Grid collapse (electricity/internet)

   • Sun morphs into a red giant

   • Alien encounter

   • Passive mind control through social media

   • Systemic ecological collapse
     Group Task #2: Threats vs. Solutions

     As a group, order the listed existential threats based on magnitude of seriousness, with #1 being the most serious. The group should come to a consensus on this list order!
     Group Task #3: Defining “Seriousness”

     Go through each of the groups’ lists and try to figure out from their ranking of the threats how they defined and/or measured “seriousness.”

     THINK: What elements make their top threat the most dangerous? Why could they be less worried about their lower-ranked situations?

3. “Our Minds Have Been Hijacked by Our Phones”

   • Video

   • While you watch,  keep a list of 3 claims that Harris makes in his talk. Try to find claims that you agree and disagree with.

     • You can read the accompanying article here.

   • Hotspots: TedTalk Claims

     1. Look back at the claims you wrote down. Identify each claim as TRUE or FALSE.

     2. In your group, rank ALL of your claims on a continuum from CLEARLY TRUE to CLEARLY FALSE. The group must come to a consensus.

4. Exit Ticket: 11/20

   • Is technology part of the problem or part of the solution?

   • How does existential risk play into your thinking about science and technology?

   • Overall do you feel optimism or pessimism about our collective ability to navigate existential risk? 

   • As a young adult, you may not have perpetrated existential risk…. but your generation will be implicated in attempting to reduce them.