Excellent post! I started writing the below last night but finished it now:
As Colin Powell aptly said, “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” While he spoke in the context of leadership, this principle applies broadly to all aspects of life. Optimism encourages us to persevere, while pessimism often leads to resignation. However, optimism without thoughtful, deliberate action can create more problems than it solves. When we act, we must also consider the unintended consequences of those actions—a step frequently overlooked in our race to build the next world-changing technology. Too often, we focus on innovation without fully understanding how it will impact people's lives, societal structures, and the world as we know it.
Take the smartphone, for example. It is a transformative innovation that has placed the sum of human knowledge in our hands while simultaneously introducing addiction, loneliness, and the proliferation of social media—arguably both the best and worst product of the last few decades. This duality illustrates a broader truth: almost every new technology brings unintended consequences. While we can adapt to some of these, others may pose significant risks that harm society.
Without proper governance and oversight, the unchecked pursuit of technological advancement could lead to catastrophic outcomes. Today, the development of emerging technologies often resembles a "Wild West" environment, particularly in startups across the globe. Many of innovation's more straightforward, low-hanging fruits have already been picked, leaving us to tackle increasingly complex and transformative technologies. These advancements demand thoughtful deliberation—not just about how they work but also how they will reshape society, alter power dynamics, and affect humanity.
Risk is an inevitable part of progress, but it comes in many forms—ethical, societal, and environmental. Who should decide which risks are worth taking, and how can we ensure these decisions reflect the interests of all humanity rather than just a privileged few? Emerging technologies are often driven by power, profit, or geopolitical advantage, sidelining equity and fairness considerations. Will these technologies be accessible to all, or will they deepen the divide between nations, regions, and socioeconomic groups? For instance, advanced technologies like AI, fusion energy, or synthetic biology may disproportionately benefit wealthier countries and individuals, leaving others behind in an ever-widening technological gap. This raises ethical concerns about global inequality.
Another critical aspect often overlooked is the environmental impact of technological advancement. Artificial intelligence, blockchain, and energy-intensive computing innovations have significant ecological footprints. In our race toward progress, we must ensure that new technologies align with sustainability goals and not exacerbate the climate crisis we are already grappling with. For instance, while fusion energy holds immense promise, its development must be carefully aligned with global climate objectives to avoid unintended consequences.
Moreover, many emerging technologies are dual-use, meaning they can be employed for beneficial and harmful purposes. AI, CRISPR gene editing, and autonomous systems are examples. Without adequate governance, these technologies could be weaponized or misused in ways that destabilize global security. For instance, CRISPR could revolutionize medicine and be exploited to engineer biological weapons. Such risks demand a global approach to regulation involving governments, international organizations, and diverse voices worldwide.
Public awareness and education are also critical. Many people are unaware of how these technologies will shape their lives, and their voices are often excluded from the conversation. Fostering widespread understanding is essential to ensuring informed, democratic involvement in decision-making. Open, inclusive discussions must include scientists, experts, ethicists, policymakers, and representatives from diverse communities. These conversations should go beyond proclaiming how technology will “change the world” to exploring how it will affect people’s lives, livelihoods, and societal structures.
Additionally, we must consider the long-term implications of these advancements. For example, if life-extension technologies become standard, how will they reshape generational dynamics, healthcare systems, and economies? If brain-machine interfaces enhance humans' cognitive abilities, how will they affect personal identity, relationships, and legal systems? These are not merely technical challenges but philosophical and societal ones that require careful thought. History has shown that innovation often outpaces our ability to adapt socially and culturally, leaving us to grapple with consequences we fail to anticipate.
Despite these challenges, optimism can be a powerful driver of progress—if tempered with responsibility. Optimism inspires us to tackle global crises like climate change, healthcare inequality, and resource scarcity. It fuels collaboration and innovation but must be grounded in ethical principles. Effective governance frameworks, such as international treaties or public-private partnerships, can help ensure technological advancements remain aligned with the collective good. For example, cooperative efforts in developing AI ethics, regulating carbon capture, or promoting equitable access to clean energy can serve as models for fostering innovation responsibly.
In conclusion, fostering open, inclusive, and globally representative discussions about the future of technology is not optional—it is essential for ensuring that innovation serves humanity as a whole. We must go beyond technical achievements to consider our actions' broader societal, ethical, and environmental implications. By embracing this wider perspective, we can ensure that progress remains meaningful, moral, and sustainable. When paired with humility and foresight, optimism can be a powerful multiplier for good.
Thank you. Your comment could be a post on its own - it is so strong. Your point about dual-use technologies is spot on, plus the examples you provide – it's something we need to be very mindful of. While AI has the potential to revolutionize fields like medicine and education, it also carries the risk of being used for autonomous weapons systems or surveillance technologies that erode privacy.
That Collin Powell quote is excellent, I'm a big fan of his leadership points. Likewise, what you say is so accurate -- "Optimism encourages us to persevere, while pessimism often leads to resignation."
I like your comment a lot. It strongly emphasizes the points I was seeking to make and upgrades them. We must find a way to better communicate the benefits and risks. Right now I'm analyzing the latest submissions to the EU AI act from the working groups, and so few solid comments, yet this was an open call. We need to be better as a society at understanding how we can get involved and help shape technologies.
I also have an entirely different version of my comments about your article. I started with that but then decided to go with the one I posted. I will edit and post it, too, in the next few days. I have made some predictions, and others are observations/things I believe in the context of your post. Most will not come true, but I wanted to take a shot.
I'm in Europe, Poland. My reading is eclectic. This is what I put together at the end of 2024 for executives on my postgraduate course based on a partial list. I should add a section on substack for books.
In 2024 most of my non work related book reading was focused on human psychology, science and biography. Here is a partial list of books I read and enjoyed so far (up to end of November 2024). Some of them like Chaos by Gleick are 3rd or 4th reading - I always seek out books that stand the test of time and will be read and reread and reread over the decades.
1. Determined by Robert Sapolsky
2. HG Wells. Biography of an Ordinary Mind
3. Turing’s Cathedral by George Dyson
4. Against the Gods; The Remarkable Story of Risk by Peter L. Bernstein
5. The Maniac by Benjamin Labatut
6. Letters to a Young Investigator - Ramon Y Cajal (multiple times. Always carry
a copy with me)
7. Tesla: Wizard of war by Marc Seifer
8. The Strangest Man: Paul Dirac by Graham Farmello
9. The Young HG Wells by Claire Tomlin
10. The Martian’s Daughter by Marina von Neuman Whitman
11. The Lives of Great Composers by Harold Schonberg
12. Edvard Munch by Sue Prideaux (2nd reading)
13. Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan (multiple reads)
14. Enemies of Promise by Cyril Connoly
15. The Boy Who Could Change the World (Aaron Swartz)
16. The Truth and Other Stories by Stanislaw Lem (ongoing project)
17. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (read it every year)
18. Power and Progress by Daren Acemmoglu and Simon Johnson
19. Chaos - by James Gleick (multiple reads)
20. Disturbing the Universe by Freeman Dyson
21. Napoleon by Hilaire Belloc
22. In Pursuit of Imperfection by Rita Levi-Montalcini
23. Magnificent Rebels by Andrea Wulf
24. Great Contemporaries by Winston Churchill
25. Franklin and Winston by Jon Meacham
26. Arms and the Covenant by Winston Churchill
27. Goodbye Eastern Europe by Jacob Mikanowski
28. Putting Ourselves Back in the Equation by George Musser
29. The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr (this one is on my office desk for
re-reading)
30. The Two Cultures by JP Snow ( Countless reads over the years, classic )
31. Several about John von Neumann, including his own works
32. The War of the Soups and the Sparks (Neuroscience) by Robert Kanigel
33. Apprentice to Genius by George Musser
34. The Scientist as a Rebel by Freeman Dyson
35. Goodbye Russia, Rachmaninoff in Exile by Fiona Maddocks
I forgot to mention why I am always so focused on the risks and unintended consequences of technology. A lot comes from my experience implementing large technology projects, and three books have also influenced it:
This is part of 2023 reading - some duplicates due to 2nd or 3rd read... all hard copes, I should return to Kindle and audio this year!
1. The Brain in Search of Itself by Benjamin Ehelrich
2. Recollections of My Life Ramon Y Cajal
3. Letters to a Young Investigator - Ramon Y Cajal
4. Leonardo da Vinci: Flights of the Mind by Charles Nicholl
5. Churchill by Lord Andrew Roberts
6. Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
7. Bibi - by Benjamin Netanyahu
8. Breaking History by Jared Kushner
9. The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson
10. A Crack in Creation by Jennifer Doudna and Samuel Sternberg
11. Subtle is the Lord - Letters of Einstein
12. Hume by James A. Harris
13. The Truth and Other Stories by Stanislaw Lem
14. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
15. Hitch22 by Christopher Hitchens
16. The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman
17. The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch
18. Chaos by James Gleick
19. The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes
20. Beijing Rules by Bethany Allan
21. The Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan Haidt
22. Dopamine Nation by Anna Lemke
23. War Without Rules by Robert Spalding
24. The Primacy of Doubt by Tim Palmer
25. Unsettled by Steven E. Koonin
26. The Man from the Future: The Visionary Life of John von Neumann by Ananyo Bhattacharya ·
27. A Mathematician's Apology by G.H. Hardy
28. The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr
29. The Call of the Tribe by Mario Vargas Llosa
30. Inadvertent by Karl Ove Knausgaard
31. Chip War by Chris Miller
32. Putting Ourselves Back in the Equation by George Musser
33. Maker of Patterns by Freeman Dyson
I read a bunch on China, Mao, Deng and others. 2022 was focused on climate, science and history - as I say these are pretty much non work related, exceopt the Coming wave.
I noticed that the above site is now behind a paywall so I found the letter on the internet:
Gene Roddenberry, on the value of reading books:
"I consider reading the greatest bargain in the world. A shelf of books is a shelf of many lives and ideas and imaginations which the reader can enjoy whenever he wishes and as often as he wishes. Instead of experiencing just one life, the book-lover can experience hundreds or even thousands of lives. He can live any kind of adventure in the world. Books are his time machine into the past and also into the future. Books are his "transporter" by which he can beam instantly to any part of the universe and explore what he finds there. Books are an instrument by which he can become any person for a while—a man, a woman, a child, a general, a farmer, a detective, a king, a doctor, anyone.
Great books are especially valuable because a great book often contains within its covers the wisdom of a man or woman's whole lifetime. But the true lover of books enjoys all kinds of books, even some nonsense now and then, because enjoying nonsense from others can teach us to also laugh at ourselves. A person who does not learn to laugh at his own problems and weaknesses and foolishness can never be a truly educated or a truly happy person. Also, probably the same thing could be said of a person who does not enjoy learning and growing all his life."
Also, Collin Powel’s quote mentioned above was in my memory since I had a discussion yesterday with some of the team members about his 13 rules of leadership:
I tend to agree that carbon dioxide, the preeminent greenhouse gas that human industrial activity spews into the atmosphere, is a solvable problem.
In some sense, it’s almost poetic that it became a problem in the first place. As an element, carbon has unique properties that allow it to readily form bonds with itself and other elements.
For this reason, it was far more probable for life to become carbon-based than based on any other element. This carbon-based life, for millions of years absorbed solar energy.
When they died, they took this stored energy with them, wrapped it in carbon, and compressed it by the pressure of Earth and time. The result is highly dense energy: fossil fuels.
It just so happens that our ability to harness fossil fuels, discovered around 1700, is probably the single most consequential innovation that led to the Industrial Revolution and human progress.
Yet within the seeds of that progress, contained in the fuel we burn, is that same carbon that threatens to change the climate the more we use it. The solution is to harness solar energy directly or to bring it to Earth in the form of a fusion reactor.
Another interesting overview of the dangers and opportunities of new technologies; thank you. Taking technology as a 'form of power' I would say that techno-power will be appropriated mainly by those already in power - for whatever is their agenda, which is unlikely to be 'the common good'. We see this already; and it has a long history, especially when tied in with certain religious thinkings (eg: protestant work ethic), and/or a god-inspired utopian heaven-on-earth - which is always in the future, and requiring yet more current sacrifices in the meantime. (Economists have long since disproven the trickle-down theory, and the efficacy of austerity measures).
We already have enough technologies to house and feed everybody, all 8 billion, and more. And it's not happening. It could have happened 50 years ago; but it didn't. Why not? I would suggest that there are some very powerful forces at work that have a different agenda.
Now we have another round of superfast technical developments. Will the outcome be for 'the common good'? I doubt it, but as always there will be those who, for whatever reason, are able to adapt better than others. And the poor will always be amongst us.
Thank you Joshua, all valid concerns about how technology can be used to reinforce existing power structures. Historically, this has certainly been the case in many instances. Maybe this time, if we can galvanize awareness and effort, technology could disrupt those power structures and create opportunities for positive change. We've seen this with the way mobile phones have empowered communities in developing countries, or how open-source platforms have democratized access to knowledge and tools.
But still, I agree, the profits are in the hands of a few. Plus as you suggest "there are some very powerful forces at work that have a different agenda." Yes, the power brokers like to keep us dumb and unaware! You are right, there are many factors at play - as you know from our country unless you went to Eton or Harrow it was very hard to reach the pinnacle of equity in society.
True, we do have the technology to address many of the world's most pressing problems. But I think we agree, technology alone is not a silver bullet, although it can be a powerful tool for positive change when combined with the right policies and collective action.
Agreed, will they benefit the common good? That is the key question I tried to deal with. If we continue with the status quo - NO, they will benefit a handful. Yet, I still remain cautiously optimistic that we can harness these new technologies for the benefit of all (gullible I know), as we have been able to do with many technologies - it is the share of wealth and land and profits that keep people downtrodden and subservient.
All of this being said, I believe it's possible to create a future where technology empowers everyone, but how to motivate effort and commitment from everyone. This is one dilema, as my mum always told me "no work no food!"
I think we will somehow manage to ultimately get better healthcare, equally ... but living conditions and comforts - or stability, I don't know the answer. I have a roller coaster of ideas with no good solution.
As a general proposition, real lasting solutions are more likely to come from the bottom up. For example, when locals have been allowed to have a say in community housing, then the outcome is one where people are much more committed, experience more personal energy in a committed group, and make a contribution in community building. Top-down imposed 'housing solutions' rarely work as well because of lack of 'ownership' of the project.
This of course means decentralising power in a myriad of ways; and trusting 'the people'. Not everything will work well; but neither does centralised control and decision-making. A new 'political paradigm' and rewriting of the social contract is necessary. If this happens, then I can see the benefits of technology being more equitable.
Thank you. I am slowly transitioning to writing full time, so spend an inordinate amount of time writing and reading. Plus I've been diligently capturing notes on lectures, books, discussions and thoughts for years, so have a large amount of content to draw on :-)
Excellent post! I started writing the below last night but finished it now:
As Colin Powell aptly said, “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.” While he spoke in the context of leadership, this principle applies broadly to all aspects of life. Optimism encourages us to persevere, while pessimism often leads to resignation. However, optimism without thoughtful, deliberate action can create more problems than it solves. When we act, we must also consider the unintended consequences of those actions—a step frequently overlooked in our race to build the next world-changing technology. Too often, we focus on innovation without fully understanding how it will impact people's lives, societal structures, and the world as we know it.
Take the smartphone, for example. It is a transformative innovation that has placed the sum of human knowledge in our hands while simultaneously introducing addiction, loneliness, and the proliferation of social media—arguably both the best and worst product of the last few decades. This duality illustrates a broader truth: almost every new technology brings unintended consequences. While we can adapt to some of these, others may pose significant risks that harm society.
Without proper governance and oversight, the unchecked pursuit of technological advancement could lead to catastrophic outcomes. Today, the development of emerging technologies often resembles a "Wild West" environment, particularly in startups across the globe. Many of innovation's more straightforward, low-hanging fruits have already been picked, leaving us to tackle increasingly complex and transformative technologies. These advancements demand thoughtful deliberation—not just about how they work but also how they will reshape society, alter power dynamics, and affect humanity.
Risk is an inevitable part of progress, but it comes in many forms—ethical, societal, and environmental. Who should decide which risks are worth taking, and how can we ensure these decisions reflect the interests of all humanity rather than just a privileged few? Emerging technologies are often driven by power, profit, or geopolitical advantage, sidelining equity and fairness considerations. Will these technologies be accessible to all, or will they deepen the divide between nations, regions, and socioeconomic groups? For instance, advanced technologies like AI, fusion energy, or synthetic biology may disproportionately benefit wealthier countries and individuals, leaving others behind in an ever-widening technological gap. This raises ethical concerns about global inequality.
Another critical aspect often overlooked is the environmental impact of technological advancement. Artificial intelligence, blockchain, and energy-intensive computing innovations have significant ecological footprints. In our race toward progress, we must ensure that new technologies align with sustainability goals and not exacerbate the climate crisis we are already grappling with. For instance, while fusion energy holds immense promise, its development must be carefully aligned with global climate objectives to avoid unintended consequences.
Moreover, many emerging technologies are dual-use, meaning they can be employed for beneficial and harmful purposes. AI, CRISPR gene editing, and autonomous systems are examples. Without adequate governance, these technologies could be weaponized or misused in ways that destabilize global security. For instance, CRISPR could revolutionize medicine and be exploited to engineer biological weapons. Such risks demand a global approach to regulation involving governments, international organizations, and diverse voices worldwide.
Public awareness and education are also critical. Many people are unaware of how these technologies will shape their lives, and their voices are often excluded from the conversation. Fostering widespread understanding is essential to ensuring informed, democratic involvement in decision-making. Open, inclusive discussions must include scientists, experts, ethicists, policymakers, and representatives from diverse communities. These conversations should go beyond proclaiming how technology will “change the world” to exploring how it will affect people’s lives, livelihoods, and societal structures.
Additionally, we must consider the long-term implications of these advancements. For example, if life-extension technologies become standard, how will they reshape generational dynamics, healthcare systems, and economies? If brain-machine interfaces enhance humans' cognitive abilities, how will they affect personal identity, relationships, and legal systems? These are not merely technical challenges but philosophical and societal ones that require careful thought. History has shown that innovation often outpaces our ability to adapt socially and culturally, leaving us to grapple with consequences we fail to anticipate.
Despite these challenges, optimism can be a powerful driver of progress—if tempered with responsibility. Optimism inspires us to tackle global crises like climate change, healthcare inequality, and resource scarcity. It fuels collaboration and innovation but must be grounded in ethical principles. Effective governance frameworks, such as international treaties or public-private partnerships, can help ensure technological advancements remain aligned with the collective good. For example, cooperative efforts in developing AI ethics, regulating carbon capture, or promoting equitable access to clean energy can serve as models for fostering innovation responsibly.
In conclusion, fostering open, inclusive, and globally representative discussions about the future of technology is not optional—it is essential for ensuring that innovation serves humanity as a whole. We must go beyond technical achievements to consider our actions' broader societal, ethical, and environmental implications. By embracing this wider perspective, we can ensure that progress remains meaningful, moral, and sustainable. When paired with humility and foresight, optimism can be a powerful multiplier for good.
Thank you. Your comment could be a post on its own - it is so strong. Your point about dual-use technologies is spot on, plus the examples you provide – it's something we need to be very mindful of. While AI has the potential to revolutionize fields like medicine and education, it also carries the risk of being used for autonomous weapons systems or surveillance technologies that erode privacy.
That Collin Powell quote is excellent, I'm a big fan of his leadership points. Likewise, what you say is so accurate -- "Optimism encourages us to persevere, while pessimism often leads to resignation."
I like your comment a lot. It strongly emphasizes the points I was seeking to make and upgrades them. We must find a way to better communicate the benefits and risks. Right now I'm analyzing the latest submissions to the EU AI act from the working groups, and so few solid comments, yet this was an open call. We need to be better as a society at understanding how we can get involved and help shape technologies.
I also have an entirely different version of my comments about your article. I started with that but then decided to go with the one I posted. I will edit and post it, too, in the next few days. I have made some predictions, and others are observations/things I believe in the context of your post. Most will not come true, but I wanted to take a shot.
When you get a chance, read the two books I mentioned if you have not read them. They are excellent.
I do not know which continent you live on, but I would love to get your book recommendations on different topics from a few non-US authors.
I read The Precipice but not Under a White Sky, for some reason I passed on it when I was reading heavily in that domain - I even read Unsettled by Koonin as a counterweight - https://www.amazon.com/Unsettled-Climate-Science-Doesnt-Matters/dp/1950665798
I'm in Europe, Poland. My reading is eclectic. This is what I put together at the end of 2024 for executives on my postgraduate course based on a partial list. I should add a section on substack for books.
In 2024 most of my non work related book reading was focused on human psychology, science and biography. Here is a partial list of books I read and enjoyed so far (up to end of November 2024). Some of them like Chaos by Gleick are 3rd or 4th reading - I always seek out books that stand the test of time and will be read and reread and reread over the decades.
1. Determined by Robert Sapolsky
2. HG Wells. Biography of an Ordinary Mind
3. Turing’s Cathedral by George Dyson
4. Against the Gods; The Remarkable Story of Risk by Peter L. Bernstein
5. The Maniac by Benjamin Labatut
6. Letters to a Young Investigator - Ramon Y Cajal (multiple times. Always carry
a copy with me)
7. Tesla: Wizard of war by Marc Seifer
8. The Strangest Man: Paul Dirac by Graham Farmello
9. The Young HG Wells by Claire Tomlin
10. The Martian’s Daughter by Marina von Neuman Whitman
11. The Lives of Great Composers by Harold Schonberg
12. Edvard Munch by Sue Prideaux (2nd reading)
13. Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan (multiple reads)
14. Enemies of Promise by Cyril Connoly
15. The Boy Who Could Change the World (Aaron Swartz)
16. The Truth and Other Stories by Stanislaw Lem (ongoing project)
17. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (read it every year)
18. Power and Progress by Daren Acemmoglu and Simon Johnson
19. Chaos - by James Gleick (multiple reads)
20. Disturbing the Universe by Freeman Dyson
21. Napoleon by Hilaire Belloc
22. In Pursuit of Imperfection by Rita Levi-Montalcini
23. Magnificent Rebels by Andrea Wulf
24. Great Contemporaries by Winston Churchill
25. Franklin and Winston by Jon Meacham
26. Arms and the Covenant by Winston Churchill
27. Goodbye Eastern Europe by Jacob Mikanowski
28. Putting Ourselves Back in the Equation by George Musser
29. The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr (this one is on my office desk for
re-reading)
30. The Two Cultures by JP Snow ( Countless reads over the years, classic )
31. Several about John von Neumann, including his own works
32. The War of the Soups and the Sparks (Neuroscience) by Robert Kanigel
33. Apprentice to Genius by George Musser
34. The Scientist as a Rebel by Freeman Dyson
35. Goodbye Russia, Rachmaninoff in Exile by Fiona Maddocks
36. Empress Dowager CIXI by Jung Chang
Thank you. I have read a few of these. I just started Machinehood by S.B. Divya. My list is at https://microexcellence.substack.com/p/my-list-of-best-books.
The following books have influenced me the most:
https://microexcellence.substack.com/p/books-that-molded-my-mind
I should have also mentioned the following book when we talk about Risk (one of the best books on this topic):
When Genius Failed: The Rise and Fall of Long-Term Capital Management
Yes, I saw that on your list that 'molded your mind' - agree highly recommended.
I forgot to mention why I am always so focused on the risks and unintended consequences of technology. A lot comes from my experience implementing large technology projects, and three books have also influenced it:
Under a White Sky (https://tinyurl.com/2jvsxsb5), The Unthinkable (https://tinyurl.com/mpn5d6at) and The Precipice, the one you mentioned.
This is part of 2023 reading - some duplicates due to 2nd or 3rd read... all hard copes, I should return to Kindle and audio this year!
1. The Brain in Search of Itself by Benjamin Ehelrich
2. Recollections of My Life Ramon Y Cajal
3. Letters to a Young Investigator - Ramon Y Cajal
4. Leonardo da Vinci: Flights of the Mind by Charles Nicholl
5. Churchill by Lord Andrew Roberts
6. Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
7. Bibi - by Benjamin Netanyahu
8. Breaking History by Jared Kushner
9. The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson
10. A Crack in Creation by Jennifer Doudna and Samuel Sternberg
11. Subtle is the Lord - Letters of Einstein
12. Hume by James A. Harris
13. The Truth and Other Stories by Stanislaw Lem
14. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
15. Hitch22 by Christopher Hitchens
16. The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman
17. The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch
18. Chaos by James Gleick
19. The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes
20. Beijing Rules by Bethany Allan
21. The Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan Haidt
22. Dopamine Nation by Anna Lemke
23. War Without Rules by Robert Spalding
24. The Primacy of Doubt by Tim Palmer
25. Unsettled by Steven E. Koonin
26. The Man from the Future: The Visionary Life of John von Neumann by Ananyo Bhattacharya ·
27. A Mathematician's Apology by G.H. Hardy
28. The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr
29. The Call of the Tribe by Mario Vargas Llosa
30. Inadvertent by Karl Ove Knausgaard
31. Chip War by Chris Miller
32. Putting Ourselves Back in the Equation by George Musser
33. Maker of Patterns by Freeman Dyson
I read a bunch on China, Mao, Deng and others. 2022 was focused on climate, science and history - as I say these are pretty much non work related, exceopt the Coming wave.
and this person is right: https://news.lettersofnote.com/p/i-consider-reading-the-greatest-bargain?r=8n4qz&utm_medium=ios
I noticed that the above site is now behind a paywall so I found the letter on the internet:
Gene Roddenberry, on the value of reading books:
"I consider reading the greatest bargain in the world. A shelf of books is a shelf of many lives and ideas and imaginations which the reader can enjoy whenever he wishes and as often as he wishes. Instead of experiencing just one life, the book-lover can experience hundreds or even thousands of lives. He can live any kind of adventure in the world. Books are his time machine into the past and also into the future. Books are his "transporter" by which he can beam instantly to any part of the universe and explore what he finds there. Books are an instrument by which he can become any person for a while—a man, a woman, a child, a general, a farmer, a detective, a king, a doctor, anyone.
Great books are especially valuable because a great book often contains within its covers the wisdom of a man or woman's whole lifetime. But the true lover of books enjoys all kinds of books, even some nonsense now and then, because enjoying nonsense from others can teach us to also laugh at ourselves. A person who does not learn to laugh at his own problems and weaknesses and foolishness can never be a truly educated or a truly happy person. Also, probably the same thing could be said of a person who does not enjoy learning and growing all his life."
Source: Letters to Star Trek
I read and listen(only while driving) from 70 to 100 books a year, so I will work on these over the next two years.
Also, Collin Powel’s quote mentioned above was in my memory since I had a discussion yesterday with some of the team members about his 13 rules of leadership:
https://www.state.gov/dipnote-u-s-department-of-state-official-blog/colin-l-powells-thirteen-rules-of-leadership/
Some great musings here on the future.
I tend to agree that carbon dioxide, the preeminent greenhouse gas that human industrial activity spews into the atmosphere, is a solvable problem.
In some sense, it’s almost poetic that it became a problem in the first place. As an element, carbon has unique properties that allow it to readily form bonds with itself and other elements.
For this reason, it was far more probable for life to become carbon-based than based on any other element. This carbon-based life, for millions of years absorbed solar energy.
When they died, they took this stored energy with them, wrapped it in carbon, and compressed it by the pressure of Earth and time. The result is highly dense energy: fossil fuels.
It just so happens that our ability to harness fossil fuels, discovered around 1700, is probably the single most consequential innovation that led to the Industrial Revolution and human progress.
Yet within the seeds of that progress, contained in the fuel we burn, is that same carbon that threatens to change the climate the more we use it. The solution is to harness solar energy directly or to bring it to Earth in the form of a fusion reactor.
Fusion cannot come soon enough.
Another interesting overview of the dangers and opportunities of new technologies; thank you. Taking technology as a 'form of power' I would say that techno-power will be appropriated mainly by those already in power - for whatever is their agenda, which is unlikely to be 'the common good'. We see this already; and it has a long history, especially when tied in with certain religious thinkings (eg: protestant work ethic), and/or a god-inspired utopian heaven-on-earth - which is always in the future, and requiring yet more current sacrifices in the meantime. (Economists have long since disproven the trickle-down theory, and the efficacy of austerity measures).
We already have enough technologies to house and feed everybody, all 8 billion, and more. And it's not happening. It could have happened 50 years ago; but it didn't. Why not? I would suggest that there are some very powerful forces at work that have a different agenda.
Now we have another round of superfast technical developments. Will the outcome be for 'the common good'? I doubt it, but as always there will be those who, for whatever reason, are able to adapt better than others. And the poor will always be amongst us.
Thank you Joshua, all valid concerns about how technology can be used to reinforce existing power structures. Historically, this has certainly been the case in many instances. Maybe this time, if we can galvanize awareness and effort, technology could disrupt those power structures and create opportunities for positive change. We've seen this with the way mobile phones have empowered communities in developing countries, or how open-source platforms have democratized access to knowledge and tools.
But still, I agree, the profits are in the hands of a few. Plus as you suggest "there are some very powerful forces at work that have a different agenda." Yes, the power brokers like to keep us dumb and unaware! You are right, there are many factors at play - as you know from our country unless you went to Eton or Harrow it was very hard to reach the pinnacle of equity in society.
True, we do have the technology to address many of the world's most pressing problems. But I think we agree, technology alone is not a silver bullet, although it can be a powerful tool for positive change when combined with the right policies and collective action.
Agreed, will they benefit the common good? That is the key question I tried to deal with. If we continue with the status quo - NO, they will benefit a handful. Yet, I still remain cautiously optimistic that we can harness these new technologies for the benefit of all (gullible I know), as we have been able to do with many technologies - it is the share of wealth and land and profits that keep people downtrodden and subservient.
All of this being said, I believe it's possible to create a future where technology empowers everyone, but how to motivate effort and commitment from everyone. This is one dilema, as my mum always told me "no work no food!"
I think we will somehow manage to ultimately get better healthcare, equally ... but living conditions and comforts - or stability, I don't know the answer. I have a roller coaster of ideas with no good solution.
As a general proposition, real lasting solutions are more likely to come from the bottom up. For example, when locals have been allowed to have a say in community housing, then the outcome is one where people are much more committed, experience more personal energy in a committed group, and make a contribution in community building. Top-down imposed 'housing solutions' rarely work as well because of lack of 'ownership' of the project.
This of course means decentralising power in a myriad of ways; and trusting 'the people'. Not everything will work well; but neither does centralised control and decision-making. A new 'political paradigm' and rewriting of the social contract is necessary. If this happens, then I can see the benefits of technology being more equitable.
Exactly, wholeheartedly agree. It has to be bottom up.
Thank you for sharing such a well-crafted piece, I found myself thinking about the points you raised long after finishing.
Thank you - that means a lot.
Always enjoy reading your articles. How you are able to put out such great stuff, so frequently, is truly inspiring. Thank you for what you do!
Thank you. I am slowly transitioning to writing full time, so spend an inordinate amount of time writing and reading. Plus I've been diligently capturing notes on lectures, books, discussions and thoughts for years, so have a large amount of content to draw on :-)