Preparing for the future: Evolution, AI, and interstellar travel - with David Christian
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- Опубликовано: 10 июн 2024
- Can we trust stories about the future? Join historian and bestselling author David Christian as he offers an introduction to the strange world of the future.
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This lecture was recorded at the Ri on 20 November 2023.
Every second of our lives - whether we're looking both ways before crossing the street, celebrating the birth of a baby, or moving to a new city - we must cope with an unknowable future by telling stories about what will happen next.
What we think we know about it at all scales, from the predictive mechanisms of single-celled organisms and tomato plants to the merging of colossal galaxies billions of years from now. Drawing together science, history and philosophy from a huge range of places and times, David will explore how we prepare for uncertain futures, including the future of human evolution, artificial intelligence, interstellar travel, and more.
For all those curious about what the world could look like in the next hundred years and what the solutions to the biggest challenges facing us all could look like, this is an unmissable event.
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David Christian is a Professor Emeritus at Macquarie University, where he was formerly a Distinguished Professor of History and the director of the Big History Institute. He cofounded the Big History Project with Bill Gates, his Coursera MOOCs are popular around the world, and he is cocreator of the Macquarie University Big History School.
He has delivered keynotes at conferences around the world, including the Davos World Economic Forum, and his TED Talk has been viewed more than twelve million times. He is the author of numerous books and articles, as well as the New York Times bestseller Origin Story.
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Наука
It’s not the same when you aren’t in the royal institute 😢
This is like playing chess in meta perpective and meta cognitive about everything, zoom in and zoom out. My head is burning.
I agree. My polymath study over 4 decades indicates that we should become more like humans. Become an overtone singer and join the choirs of thousands. It is your instrument so learn how to play it and then, master it.
A key feature of human history is the repetition of past mistakes through various means by which they are dismissed. Global decision making is no more immune to corruption than national governmental decision making. Current trends suggest an uncertain future for democracy just when it could be most widely propagated.
I agree we need a global community to find ways past existential threats, I just don't think we have that level of maturity yet as a species. I think this is evident by the shift right to nationalist politics we see globally. And I also wonder if we haven't come a bit too far past the point of no return anyway. I wonder if the next stage of our evolution won't be something pretty tough, and perhaps the one after that becomes more cohesive and together following the planet giving us a slap in the face. Optimism is incredibly important, but blind optimism is counter. We need optimism combined with an honest look at what we are doing and how we can sort things. Maybe a focus shift toward the planet, people and all other things living on the planet that allow the health of it and us. Have this as a base not mean income.
Lots to do, and what a fantastic interview. Thanks very much to all involved.
17:05 that's basically the same conclusion I've arrived at. The unknowability of how the wave function collapses and leads to one outcome over another leaves the universe open to avoid a deterministic reality.
First time I've seen an interview conducted via Force ghost.
incredible . till next time!💫
It should be remembered that his training is not in physics, which is clear from some of the claims he makes. His assertions are not in agreement with accepted theory.
Which ones?
Indeed, such topic forces us to first decide if there were a divine design (like fine tuning of the parameter space) or Anthropic Principle, in which case our role gets diminished. Today most scientists and philosophers are atheists erroneously. For them to make wrong assertions is natural and childish.
@@chrismacatak just one example is his claim that time flows. It does not. We perceive a flow, but there is none.
I recommend you chat with Dr. K Eric Drexler. I think hes still at a college at Oxf I rd.
A step closer to free will and a healthier society would be to get rid of religion. It has caused way more harm than good, as you can see through out history, and sadly in the present we live, because, as Voltaire said: “Anyone who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” Society needs education, innovation, morals and empathy, not stupid primitive stories that scare and put people against each other like all religions do, some more than others.
What was the name of the interviewer with the irritating screensaver? Why hide his name?
Could it be possible that there maybe other universes within the multiverse, that are still 3 spatial dimensions but are oriented at a different angle (similar to polarization). This difference in ‘polarization’ shall we say renders those universes totally imperceptible to us in our universe. As an analogy, when you rotate 2 polarized filters on top of one another, when they are aligned, you can see through to the other side; when they are at 90 degree angle to one another, your view is blocked. It’s just a thought. 🤔
Overall, very interesting. However, there is a temporal disconnectivity in his information flow. I feel like this is an interview from 1983. He meant it when he said he wasn't a scientist, but surely even a layman would referenced the quantum realm, and what enfluences it must have in the probabilities of fulfillment.
Not bad, just lacking in both depth and range.
‘Our job is to look for the positives … ‘ if there’s such a thing as a fundamental truth of nature then both the positives and negatives of our future whatever that entails, are equally valid. Ignoring the aspects we find problematic doesn’t magic them away and so his argument falls apart.
Don't worry, there are people out there working on this sort of stuff that don't negate the negatives (and often emphasize them).
@@patentthat Who are these people? can you explain a bit more with examples ?
oh btw, don't forget your people's past too
About Free Will - im a firm believer in Superdeterminism, whoch states that the universe is ultimately deterministic, and the only reason ideas like quantum mechanics seem indeterministic to us is because we don't know all of the variables. If we knew the exact comditions of the point of the big bang, and had a powerful enough computer (which is impossible), we would be able to correctly predict every point of causality across all of time. If you want more info, look up Sabin Hossenfelder's research.
Fascinating, Crawdaddy...fascinating.
Back in the Dark Ages, when I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1970, as a Philosophy major, I firmly embraced the theory of Determinism.
Over my decades of life thereafter, though, I grew away from that theory, as a result of reading and watching on the internet the world of quantum mechanics...with concepts of Quarks, Higgs Bosons, the Standard Model, randomness and the likes of String Theory and Wave Theory...with Wave Theory being my present favorite.
You have reignited my thoughts of old, however, and for that I thank you!
Best wishes to you!
John
This is NOT the RI presentation I was expecting...
What is going on with the gentleman on the left. He looks faded and the background is weird. Very off putting.However excellent interview
I think we have much bigger fish to fry. We have to get through the current resurgence of fascism and oligarchy, economic disparity and outright racism. We have to get past the current looming threat of World War and all that may entail considering the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Let’s get through the next 5 years and if we’re still here, let’s talk.
All change by definition. Is in the future. If you want to change a current issue, your answers are in the past, and your goal is in the future
Never thought I would find myself in this situation, but I disagree with a lot of this gentleman's conclusions and assumptions.
Thats just your opinion and its ok, same as he has his and me mine
@@banemiladinov8202 indeed! I just got a bit disappointed because I kind of expected a certain degree of expertise, but a lot of what he says is very dubious. Shrug.
thanks
Brilliant discussion
Brilliant Love tis discussion. Dont always agree but that is philosophy
we're all cylons
I can only sympathize with the topic only if we can agree that we spent millions of years (perhaps billions) to get to now and assuming we have millions more to go before we go extinct due to a 10 mile rock or get sucked in by a BH. There are many ore dangers to face and we are at the beginning of our journey (and we are scratching the surface of the string theory), not to worry about master slave contradiction etc. Assuming we can master the necessary technologies that will help us survive and prosper and adopt to the various memes we are sure to welcome, we are sure to have a great journey. And I have no idea what it looks like.
The most likely outcome is that the Sun will consume most of the solar system
@@banemiladinov8202 You are right, but many other misfortune may befall us. But the reality is that we are protected by divine design and we don't know the extent of this protection, I suspect it will see us through some evolutionary leaps, but we don't know what they are.
Liked and Shared.
Good professor.
34:00 and yet, here we are with the widest gap ever and them being just as foolish as anyone else lol.
Curiosity killed the Cat. AI isn't that great after all when it kills you.
Anither one of those insipid talks about hiw everything is amazing and marvellous... 😑
Hosts aura from fake background is hilarious, I dont know why people turn that on. Great lecture btw.
His 12 familly members are behind him so he uses that
@@banemiladinov8202 Bane, spremi se za salvu napada
@@sowelie1 hahaha ne bih napisao to da nisam spreman 🤣 mada nadam se da ljudi znaju da se sprdam
IMO, not up to RI standards. Just me...
David Christian's "Future Stories" provides a comprehensive perspective on how history can inform our understanding and preparation for the future. Central to his approach is the concept of "Big History," which spans from the Big Bang to the present day, integrating knowledge from various disciplines to construct a coherent narrative of the past. This holistic view challenges the traditional boundaries between historians and futurists, emphasizing that both are engaged in the practice of understanding and anticipating future outcomes based on past experiences and current knowledge.
Christian's key argument is that the study of history reveals long-term trends and patterns that can guide future-oriented discussions. He suggests that by examining the entirety of human and cosmic history, we can better understand the present and anticipate potential futures. This interdisciplinary approach enables a deeper grasp of the complex forces shaping our world, highlighting the interconnectedness of past, present, and future.
In exploring the nature of time, Christian presents two metaphors: time as a map and time as a river. These metaphors offer different perspectives on the future. Viewing time as a map suggests a deterministic approach where the future is fixed, while viewing time as a river acknowledges the dynamic nature of time, allowing for change and choice. This duality reflects the tension between determinism and free will, a central theme in Christian's work.
Christian delves into the scientific understanding of free will and determinism, noting that contemporary science has moved away from a strictly deterministic view of the universe. He argues that while our actions are influenced by biological, neurological, and chemical processes, there is still room for agency and choice. This nuanced view of free will underscores the complexity of human decision-making and the factors that shape our actions.
Beyond human cognition, Christian explores how organisms engage in "future thinking" to ensure survival. He highlights that natural selection has endowed organisms with mechanisms to predict and adapt to future conditions, albeit unconsciously. This perspective broadens the discussion of future thinking to include all living beings, emphasizing the evolutionary roots of this capability.
Christian's vision for the future of humanity includes provocative ideas such as extended lifespans, human-technology integration, and the potential for a "cyborg" future. He acknowledges the ethical dilemmas and potential inequalities these advancements might bring but remains optimistic about their potential to enhance human health and well-being. This forward-looking view is tempered with a call for global collaboration to address pressing issues like climate change and societal disparities.
A significant aspect of Christian's work is his advocacy for optimism. He believes that focusing on positive solutions and opportunities is crucial for overcoming the challenges we face. Historical examples of societal progress and moral convergence support his argument that a more equitable and sustainable world is achievable. Christian warns against the dangers of pervasive pessimism, which can become self-fulfilling by discouraging positive action and hindering progress. Instead, he encourages a balanced perspective that acknowledges challenges but remains hopeful about humanity's potential to create a better future.
In summary, "Future Stories" by David Christian offers a compelling and optimistic vision of the future, grounded in a deep understanding of the past. By integrating knowledge across disciplines and advocating for a collaborative, optimistic approach, Christian provides a framework for navigating the uncertainties of the future. His work underscores the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the future, emphasizing our collective ability to influence and shape it.
To Haaaun El-Zafar [the producer] -- I honestly don't mean to offend, but your lighting and background was...just terrible. I like watching the 'real' live streams in the lecture hall from The Royal Institution, but I'd watch more of these webcam ones if they weren't so much like this. This is too hard to watch for an hour, even for me - someone who loves science.
Talked a lot and said nothing!
Sales pitch tease!
SMH
AI, molecular manufacturing an space flight lead to radical abundance very quickly.
So if you can predict the future how can it be uncertain. You can only plan you cannot predict ▪️▪️▪️▪️
If I fall on to a lower beam in a video game I have full confidence if I line myself up correctly that I will land on it.
@@Safetytrousers and your point is ?
@@Move-4- That is being sure about the future, having made an infallible prediction.
@@Safetytrousers but you planed the future by lining yourself up to fall. So tell me what’s beyond the observable universe ahh can’t predict what’s beyond can only surmise
Certainty (predictability, syntropy) is dual to uncertainty (unpredictability, entropy) -- the Heisenberg certainty/uncertainty principle.
Making predictions is a syntropic process -- teleological.
"Always two there are" -- Yoda.
The irony of you guys having that rainbow mafia themed profile picture... Isn't this a science channel or are you going the woke route?
You had your say... feel better, "guy"?
Both history and Science have confirmed the continued existence of multiple genders, sexual orientations, and relationship orientations in human beings. Further, they have done so with evidence that this sort of diversity has been just as beneficial to the survival and thriving of the human species as other kinds of diversities...
🤔 So WHO here, exactly, is denying the science? 🙄
Why is RI mafia-like? And what's wrong with being accepting of all sexualities?
Brilliant discussion