New book on s-risks

Abstract

Tobias Baumann introduces the concept of risks of future suffering (s-risks) in his new book, “Avoiding the Worst: How to Prevent a Moral Catastrophe”. The book provides a comprehensive exploration of s-risks and argues that their reduction should be a top priority due to the potential for causing astronomical amounts of suffering. Baumann details various types of s-risks, and he explores the essential question of whether we should focus on s-risks, further delving into cognitive biases. The book also considers effective strategies for the best possible reduction of s-risks and discusses risk factors, moral advocacy, political interventions, and the role of emerging technologies in this context. Aiming to stimulate interest and further work on s-risks, Baumann writes this for longtermist effective altruists, offering a guide to understand and act upon these worst-case scenarios. – AI-generated abstract.