Is there really a 1 in 6 chance of human extinction this century?

" In 2020, Oxford-based philosopher Toby Ord published a book called The Precipice about the risk of human extinction. He put the chances of “existential catastrophe” for our species during the next century at one in six.

It’s quite a specific number, and an alarming one. The claim drew headlines at the time, and has been influential since – most recently brought up by Australian politician Andrew Leigh in a speech in Melbourne.

It’s hard to disagree with the idea we face troubling prospects over the coming decades, from climate change, nuclear weapons and bio-engineered pathogens (all big issues in my view), to rogue AI and large asteroids (which I would see as less concerning).

But what about that number? Where does it come from? And what does it really mean?"

https://theconversation.com/is-there-really-a-1-in-6-chance-of-human-extinction-this-century-215054

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Case for Regularly Obtaining Nutrition History Food for Thought

Image
 " This case demonstrates the potential effect of dietary changes on cholesterol levels. Typically, patients with primary severe hypercholesterolemia, defined as an LDL cholesterol level of 190 mg/dL or higher, are at increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and are given guideline-directed statin therapy due to their elevated risk for future coronary events. 1   A careful dietary history can be valuable in identifying patients who might benefit from dietary changes rather than a statin prescription. This patient was consuming a diet high in saturated fats, including red meats, eggs, and coconut oil. 2   A behavioral modification approach was appropriate because she had multiple areas for improvement in her diet and no history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or hypertension. However, this conservative approach may not be appropriate for patients with cardiovascular risk factors and/or genetic hypercholesterolemia. This nutritional approach is especial...
Read more

The anti-parasitic activity of Thymus vulgaris (Thyme): A literature review

Image
"Abstract Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an enduring herb belonging to the mint family, Lamiaceae. It originates from the Mediterranean region and is characterized by its small, aromatic leaves, and sturdy stem. Appreciated for its robust and delightful scent, thyme is widely embraced as a culinary herb. However, its significance extends far beyond the kitchen, as it has been utilized medicinally for centuries. This is owing to the occurrence of active compounds like thymol and carvacrol, which possess noteworthy antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory attributes. Throughout history, thyme has been employed in the treatment of respiratory disorders, digestive ailments, and other diseases. The main objective of this study was to conduct an extensive review of the thyme plant, encompassing its classification, historical background, geographical distribution, chemical composition, and both economic and medicinal applications, particularly emphasizing its antiparasitic propertie...
Read more