Astronomical stakes

Abstract

The astronomical waste argument argues that focusing on reducing existential risk should be the overriding priority for effective altruists. The argument centers on the concept of a finite ‘cosmic endowment’, which is a measure of the total amount of happiness that could be experienced in the universe given current scientific understanding of cosmology. The potential for future human happiness is argued to be vast – on a scale that dwarfs even the most optimistic predictions of human progress. However, the argument is not without its complexities. This talk addresses objections to the argument, such as those related to the potential for infinite ethics and the possibility of being in a simulation. Further, it explores the implications of the argument for practical action, suggesting that even seemingly mundane actions such as distributing bed nets could be highly effective at reducing existential risk. The talk concludes with a discussion of the importance of promoting a robust and diverse set of approaches to tackling existential risk, including research into macro-strategy and the development of AI safety measures. – AI-generated abstract.