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Global Catastrophic Risks

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'Global Catastrophic Risks' is a thought-provoking exploration of various catastrophic risks facing humanity, ranging from obscure and unlikely scenarios to well-known threats like nuclear terrorism and climate change. The book delves into sociological aspects, cognitive biases, and hard science topics such as supervolcanoes, asteroid impacts, and extra solar system risks. Each risk is discussed by different authors, presenting a wide spectrum of perspectives on global catastrophic risks without aiming to provide a manual for saving the world.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is predominantly academic with elements of popular science, varying by chapter, and aims for accessibility despite some technical content.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around an exploration of multiple global catastrophic risks, delving into both speculative and realistic threats while critiquing the emphasis placed on certain dangers.

Setting:

The setting is largely conceptual, discussing global risks in a contemporary scientific landscape, occasionally referencing historical contexts.

Pacing:

Pacing is inconsistent, with some chapters being dense and technical while others are easier to read and more engaging.
The term ‘global catastrophic risk’ lacks a sharp definition. We use it to refer, loosely, to a risk that might have the potential to inflict serious damage to human well-being on a global scale. On t...

Notes:

The article on global warming suggests mainstream science predicts a linear temperature increase, which may not be catastrophic.
Extreme events related to pandemics like influenza have been downplayed, but high mortality rates are still a concern.
Speculative risks, like a vacuum phase transition changing the laws of physics, represent real catastrophic possibilities.
The book addresses nuclear war, terrorism, and biotechnology risks in a sensible manner but with some technical depth.
There is a critical tone toward totalitarian governments, suggesting they might emerge under certain conditions.
Cognitive biases in risk assessment are highlighted, indicating how human instincts often cloud judgment.
Some chapters delve into science fiction scenarios, like living in a simulation or uncontrolled artificial intelligence.
Overpopulation is cited as a significant threat, with only limited coverage of real-world implications compared to more speculative threats.
Chapters are written by different authors, giving varied perspectives on catastrophic risks, blending academia with accessible writing.
The chapters on supervolcanoes and asteroid impacts are noted as particularly strong, presenting reliable science and risk assessments.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings relate to the discussions of catastrophic risks, societal collapse, and existential threats, including potential psychological distress from the topics.

From The Publisher:

A global catastrophic risk is one with the potential to wreak death and destruction on a global scale. In human history, wars and plagues have done so on more than one occasion, and misguided ideologies and totalitarian regimes have darkened an entire era or a region. Advances in technology are adding dangers of a new kind. It could happen again.

In Global Catastrophic Risks 25 leading experts look at the gravest risks facing humanity in the 21st century, including asteroid impacts, gamma-ray bursts, Earth-based natural catastrophes, nuclear war, terrorism, global warming, biological weapons, totalitarianism, advanced nanotechnology, general artificial intelligence, and social collapse. The book also addresses over-arching issues - policy responses and methods for predicting and managing catastrophes.

This is invaluable reading for anyone interested in the big issues of our time; for students focusing on science, society, technology, and public policy; and for academics, policy-makers, and professionals working in these acutely important fields.

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About the Author:

Nick Bostrom, PhD, is Director of the Future of Humanity Institute, in the James Martin 21st Century School, at Oxford University. He previously taught at Yale University in the Department of Philosophy and in the Yale Institute for Social and Policy Studies. Bostrom has served as an expert consultant for the European Commission in Brussels and for the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington DC. He has advised the British Parliament, the European Parliament, and many other public bodies on issues relating to emerging technologies. Milan M. Cirkovic, PhD, is a senior research associate of the Astronomical Observatory of Belgrade, (Serbia) and a professor of Cosmology at Department of Physics, University of Novi Sad (Serbia). He received both his PhD in Physics and his MSc in Earth and Space Sciences from the State University of New York at Stony Brook (USA) and his BSc in Theoretical Physics was received from the University of Belgrade.

 
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