On What Matters
38 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago -What are the greatest forces, risks, and ideas that define the 21st Century? Each week existential risk researcher Coleman Snell speaks with academics, thinkers, and artists whose work speaks to life in the 21st Century for the modern individual. We talk about the biggest risks/challenges facing our species, solutions, unique aspects of 21st Century Life, and how we can find meaning in this strange century.
Learn more about the field of global catastrophic & existential risk and about the podcast at https://xriskpodcast.com/
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Episodes
#22 - Superintelligence, AI, and Extinction with Darren McKee
May 03, 2024 14:00 - 1 hour - 79.5 MBOn this episode of the podcast, coleman sits down with Darren McKee to discuss his book Uncontrollable: The Threat of Artificial Superintelligence and the Race to Save the World. The two discuss the central case for concern surrounding AI risk, deep fakes, and Darren’s approach to understanding the rapidly changing AI risk landscape. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/xriskpodcast/support
#20 - Animal Ethics and the Moral Weight Project with Bob Fischer
February 07, 2023 14:45 - 1 hour - 112 MBSupport 21st Talks on Our Patreon! Coleman spoke with Bob Fischer, a researcher at Rethink Priorities who recently worked on the Moral Weights project. In the discussion, Dr. Fischer and Coleman discussed a range of topics relating to animal ethics, including the research methodology of the team and the role that intuitions play in striving to live a moral life. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/xriskpodcast/support
#19 - Tobias Baumann on S-Risks and Avoiding the Worst for Humanity
January 16, 2023 14:15 - 1 hour - 74.4 MBTo stay up to date with all things 21st Talks, follow Coleman's Twitter & Instagram. Remember to rate this episode and, if you have the means, become a member on our Patreon! This week Coleman sat down with Tobias Baumann and discussed his recent book on the topic of suffering risks (s-risks)! They spoke about the ethical claims behind aiming to minimize pain vs. aiming to maximize flourishing, distinctions of pain and suffering, and potential paths towards literally the worst ethical si...
#18 - Anders Sandberg: Longtermism, Transhumanism, and Making Sense of the Existential Risk
December 19, 2022 21:14 - 46 minutes - 42.4 MBIn this episode, Coleman interviews Anders Sandberg, a senior research fellow at the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford. Dr. Sandberg and Coleman discuss living forever, transhumanism, longtermism, and new approaches to understanding existential risk work in the 21st century. Thank you to those in our community who have continued to show love and support for 21st Talks despite our extended hiatus. We are back and what an episode to jump into season 2 with! Stay in touch by following Col...
#17 - Artificial Intelligence Governance
May 27, 2022 23:28 - 56 minutes - 77.6 MBRemember to support 21st Talks on Patreon with as little as $3 dollars a month! The first 25 patrons will receive exclusive 21st Talks sweatshirts that will only be available for a limited time! On this episode, Coleman explored the obstacles & successes of governing advanced technological risks of Artificial Intelligence with Cornell Professor Dr. Sarah Kreps and Researcher and Cornell Ph.D. Candidate Amelia Arsenault. Topics covered in this episode of the podcast include: The politica...
#16 - Emmanuel Daudu on Prison Reform, Freedom of Speech, and 21st Century Politics
May 01, 2022 02:13 - 1 hour - 80.7 MBSupport us on Patreon! This week Coleman sat down with Emmanuel Daudu, an incoming Google Legal Analyst and close friend at Cornell University where he is Pre Law. The two jump into a wide range of questions, including the development of a new politics for a 21st century, working-class struggle, and the underlying woes associated with 21st-century capitalism and what we can do to improve the system. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/xriskpodcast/support
#016 - Emmanuel Daudu on Prison Reform, Freedom of Speech, and 21st Century Politics
May 01, 2022 02:13 - 1 hour - 80.7 MBSupport us on Patreon! This week Coleman sat down with Emmanuel Daudu, an incoming Google Legal Analyst and close friend at Cornell University where he is Pre Law. The two jump into a wide range of questions, including the development of a new politics for a 21st century, working-class struggle, and the underlying woes associated with 21st-century capitalism and what we can do to improve the system.
#15 - The Heart of Effective Altruism with Dr. SJ Beard
February 06, 2022 01:03 - 56 minutes - 52.6 MBIn this episode, Coleman sat down with existential risk ethicists and researcher Dr. SJ Beard from Cambridge's Existential Risk Institute about the far future of humanity, ethical growth through generations, and the psychology behind striving to do the most good. The two also discussed opening the number of possible future worlds and how it connects to motivation to do the work that morally we must this century. "We are motivated by what we believe we can achieve, much more than what we th...
#015 - The Heart of Effective Altruism with Dr. SJ Beard
February 06, 2022 01:03 - 56 minutes - 52.6 MBIn this episode, Coleman sat down with existential risk ethicists and researcher Dr. SJ Beard from Cambridge's Existential Risk Institute about the far future of humanity, ethical growth through generations, and the psychology behind striving to do the most good. The two also discussed opening the number of possible future worlds and how it connects to motivation to do the work that morally we must this century. "We are motivated by what we believe we can achieve, much more than what we th...
#014 - Governing Global Risks with Catherine Rhodes and Luke Kemp
December 04, 2021 19:25 - 1 hour - 79.8 MBIn this episode, Coleman and Nathaniel speak with Luke Kemp and Catherine Rhodes, about the two researchers' views on governing existential threats within our international system. The four also discuss some of the leading challenges to effective international cooperation and mitigation of pressing threats facing our world like climate change, advanced technological threats, biosecurity, and inequality. Support 21st Talks on Patreon!
#14 - Governing Global Risks with Catherine Rhodes and Luke Kemp
December 04, 2021 19:25 - 1 hour - 79.8 MBIn this episode, Coleman and Nathaniel speak with Luke Kemp and Catherine Rhodes, about the two researchers' views on governing existential threats within our international system. The four also discuss some of the leading challenges to effective international cooperation and mitigation of pressing threats facing our world like climate change, advanced technological threats, biosecurity, and inequality. Support 21st Talks on Patreon! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify...
Q&A #1 - "Why Existential Risk Work?"
October 22, 2021 21:49 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MBSupport us by becoming a Patreon! Thank you for listening to the first episode of 21st-Talks Q&A! Remember to like and rate the podcast if you enjoyed it! It really goes to support the show's growth! Big thanks to everyone who has submitted questions for future Q&A #1! If you have a question you want answered for me or any other members of the 21st Talks project, you can follow me on Twitter at MajorKant and DM me directly. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/...
#13 - History of Existential Risk With Dr. SJ Beard (1/2)
September 17, 2021 23:50 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBSupport Us by becoming a 21st Talks Patron What role have philosophers played in existential risk? What conditions lead to the field's origin? Today Coleman Speaks with Dr. SJ Beard of The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) at Cambridge. Covering topics from SJ Beard and Phil Torres' 2020 article Ripples on the Great Sea of Life, which covers in great depth the history of existential risk. Share this episode with 1-3 friends or family, or give us a rating on spotify. Your sup...
#013 -- History of Existential Risk With Dr. SJ Beard (1/2)
September 17, 2021 23:50 - 36 minutes - 33.8 MBSupport Us by becoming a 21st Talks Patron What role have philosophers played in existential risk? What conditions lead to the field's origin? Today Coleman Speaks with Dr. SJ Beard of The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) at Cambridge. Covering topics from SJ Beard and Phil Torres' 2020 article Ripples on the Great Sea of Life, which covers in great depth the history of existential risk. Share this episode with 1-3 friends or family, or give us a rating on spotify. Your sup...
#012 -- Can Engineering Inspired By Nature Save Humanity? W/ Dr. Joyce Cooper
April 01, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 82.6 MBEngineering practices are fundamental to overcoming obstacles facing society in the 21st Century. Existential threats like climate change, artificial intelligence, looming food and water insecurity Today I am speaking with Dr. Joyce Cooper who is a professor and researcher at the University of Washington’s Mechanical Engineering Department. Her work largely focuses on combining environmental assessment with product design and engineering. My co-host today is John Hamann, who is one of the ...
#12 - Can Engineering Inspired By Nature Save Humanity? W/ Dr. Joyce Cooper
April 01, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 82.6 MBEngineering practices are fundamental to overcoming obstacles facing society in the 21st Century. Existential threats like climate change, artificial intelligence, looming food and water insecurity Today I am speaking with Dr. Joyce Cooper who is a professor and researcher at the University of Washington’s Mechanical Engineering Department. Her work largely focuses on combining environmental assessment with product design and engineering. My co-host today is John Hamann, who is one of the ...
#11: Global Justice and Existential Risk with Dr. Ndidi Nwaneri
March 15, 2021 05:27 - 1 hour - 99.8 MB2Is global inequality an existential threat? How do question social justice connect to questions of the greatest threats facing our world in the 21st century and what might conceptions of global justice inform our approach to looming risks like climate change and how might global justice help us in our overcoming of these risks? This week Coleman speaks with Dr. Ndidi Nwaneri from Loyola University in Chicago. Dr. Nwaneri'ss research surrounds social development, global justice, and existen...
#11 - Global Justice and Existential Risk with Dr. Ndidi Nwaneri
March 15, 2021 05:27 - 1 hour - 99.8 MB2Is global inequality an existential threat? How do question social justice connect to questions of the greatest threats facing our world in the 21st century and what might conceptions of global justice inform our approach to looming risks like climate change and how might global justice help us in our overcoming of these risks? This week Coleman speaks with Dr. Ndidi Nwaneri from Loyola University in Chicago. Dr. Nwaneri'ss research surrounds social development, global justice, and existen...
#10 - Political Violence in the 21st Century
February 20, 2021 03:18 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBHosted by: Coleman Snell --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/xriskpodcast/support
#10: Political Violence in the 21st Century
February 20, 2021 03:18 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBHosted by: Coleman Snell
#9: Creating Sustainable Change with Dickson Despommier
December 10, 2020 22:15 - 1 hour - 93.5 MBHow do we create sustainable change going forward into the future? Where do questions of equity fit into this discussion of the long-term health of global citizens? This week Coleman spoke with Dickson Despommier, an academic with over 30 years of experience in Public health at Columbia University and Fordham University. Dr. Despommier and Coleman discussed the future of agriculture and vertical farming in Episode 4 of the 21st talks podcast. Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on the P...
#9 - Creating Sustainable Change with Dickson Despommier
December 10, 2020 22:15 - 1 hour - 93.5 MBHow do we create sustainable change going forward into the future? Where do questions of equity fit into this discussion of the long-term health of global citizens? This week Coleman spoke with Dickson Despommier, an academic with over 30 years of experience in Public health at Columbia University and Fordham University. Dr. Despommier and Coleman discussed the future of agriculture and vertical farming in Episode 4 of the 21st talks podcast. Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on the P...
#8 - Special Episode: Lessons from Cambridge's Conference on Catastrophic Risk 2020
November 19, 2020 05:53 - 10 minutes - 9.7 MBThis was recorded on Coleman's third day of Cambridge's Conference on Catastrophic Risk 2020. Which is a conference with the world's leading experts on Global Catastrophic Risk put on by The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and Cambridge. This conference was incredible, I am so thankful for the insights and growth into this field that I love talking, reading, and researching so much. Existential Risk is here to stay and is quickly coming into a renaissance of discovery into quest...
#8: Lessons from Cambridge's Conference on Catastrophic Risk 2020
November 19, 2020 05:53 - 10 minutes - 9.7 MBThis was recorded on Coleman's third day of Cambridge's Conference on Catastrophic Risk 2020. Which is a conference with the world's leading experts on Global Catastrophic Risk put on by The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and Cambridge. This conference was incredible, I am so thankful for the insights and growth into this field that I love talking, reading, and researching so much. Existential Risk is here to stay and is quickly coming into a renaissance of discovery into quest...
#8 - Lessons from Cambridge's Conference on Catastrophic Risk 2020
November 19, 2020 05:53 - 10 minutes - 9.7 MBThis was recorded on Coleman's third day of Cambridge's Conference on Catastrophic Risk 2020. Which is a conference with the world's leading experts on Global Catastrophic Risk put on by The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and Cambridge. This conference was incredible, I am so thankful for the insights and growth into this field that I love talking, reading, and researching so much. Existential Risk is here to stay and is quickly coming into a renaissance of discovery into quest...
#7 - Trumpism, Bipartisanship, and Threat to Democracy
November 19, 2020 04:24 - 1 hour - 69.2 MBClick here to Follow Us on Instagram What does Trumpism tell us about the future of Democracy? Is Democracy in threat by Bipartisanship? This week Coleman spoke with Professor Richard Arenberg from Brown University's Watson Institute about his research on Bipartisanship, where it came from, and why it continues to get worse! Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on the Podcast, Blog, and to apply for our Meaning Oriented Communities (MOC) program. Or fill out this link to get onto th...
#7: Trumpism, Bipartisanship, and Threat to Democracy
November 19, 2020 04:24 - 1 hour - 69.2 MBClick here to Follow Us on Instagram What does Trumpism tell us about the future of Democracy? Is Democracy in threat by Bipartisanship? This week Coleman spoke with Professor Richard Arenberg from Brown University's Watson Institute about his research on Bipartisanship, where it came from, and why it continues to get worse! Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on the Podcast, Blog, and to apply for our Meaning Oriented Communities (MOC) program. Or fill out this link to get onto th...
#5: Correcting Quantum Mistakes With Elliot Lehrer
October 26, 2020 23:46 - 1 hour - 159 MBWhat are common misconceptions about Quantum Mechanics? What have been previous approaches to the field and what have past physicists, pop culture writers, and some new age folks on mass gotten wrong? This week’s conversation is with Elliot Lehrer, the science writer, and researcher for the 21st Century Blog and 21st Talks Podcast. Elliot is a senior at Brown University studying Physics. Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on the Podcast, Blog, and to apply for our Meaning Oriented Comm...
#5 - Correcting Quantum Mistakes With Elliot Lehrer
October 26, 2020 23:46 - 1 hour - 159 MBWhat are common misconceptions about Quantum Mechanics? What have been previous approaches to the field and what have past physicists, pop culture writers, and some new age folks on mass gotten wrong? This week’s conversation is with Elliot Lehrer, the science writer, and researcher for the 21st Century Blog and 21st Talks Podcast. Elliot is a senior at Brown University studying Physics. Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on the Podcast, Blog, and to apply for our Meaning Oriented Comm...
#4: Vertical Farming and the Future of Agriculture with Dickson Despommier
October 20, 2020 00:01 - 1 hour - 184 MBThis week Coleman spoke with past Columbia University professor of Microbiology and Public Health Dr. Dickson Despommier. Despommier is a serial author, Ted talk deliverer, and speaker who has given numerous lectures on the role Vertical Farming will play in the future of agriculture and the tremendous threat a lack of innovation and change in our food systems will bring unless we change. Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on the Podcast, Blog, and to apply for our Meaning Oriented Com...
Episode 04: Vertical Farming and the Future of Agriculture with Dickson Despommier
October 20, 2020 00:01 - 1 hour - 184 MBThis week Coleman spoke with past Columbia University professor of Microbiology and Public Health Dr. Dickson Despommier. Despommier is a serial author, Ted talk deliverer, and speaker who has given numerous lectures on the role Vertical Farming will play in the future of agriculture and the tremendous threat a lack of innovation and change in our food systems will bring unless we change. Thank you so much for listening and don’t forget to drop a rating and subscribe! Check out the 21st Ce...
#4 - Vertical Farming and the Future of Agriculture with Dickson Despommier
October 20, 2020 00:01 - 1 hour - 184 MBThis week Coleman spoke with past Columbia University professor of Microbiology and Public Health Dr. Dickson Despommier. Despommier is a serial author, Ted talk deliverer, and speaker who has given numerous lectures on the role Vertical Farming will play in the future of agriculture and the tremendous threat a lack of innovation and change in our food systems will bring unless we change. Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on the Podcast, Blog, and to apply for our Meaning Oriented Com...
#3 - Communicating Existential Threats with Dr. Lara Mani
October 12, 2020 19:45 - 1 hour - 114 MBHow do you communicate facts about climate change, AI, and other global risks in a way that motivates action? What role does communication play in the field of Existential Risk? In episode #3 of the 21st Talks Podcast, Coleman talks Dr. Lara Mani who is a researcher at the Center for the Study of Existential Risk at Cambridge. The two discuss the challenges of communicating about existential/global catastrophic risks to the public, politicians, and business people, as well as effective route...
#2 21st Century Story Telling with Rycon Roleplays
October 11, 2020 21:36 - 1 hour - 71.4 MBIn episode #2 of the 21st Talks Podcast, Coleman interviews Youtuber Rycon from the channel Rycon Roleplays. Rycon tells stories fully told to the audience through his voice acting and different video games. It's called Let's Roleplays and Coleman and Rycon discuss what this new mode of storytelling may have in store for the future as well as talking about Story Telling and its role in our lives (past, present, and future). Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on the Podcast, Blog, and t...
#2 - 21st Century Story Telling with Rycon Roleplays
October 11, 2020 21:36 - 1 hour - 71.4 MBIn episode #2 of the 21st Talks Podcast, Coleman interviews Youtuber Rycon from the channel Rycon Roleplays. Rycon tells stories fully told to the audience through his voice acting and different video games. It's called Let's Roleplays and Coleman and Rycon discuss what this new mode of storytelling may have in store for the future as well as talking about Story Telling and its role in our lives (past, present, and future). Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on the Podcast, Blog, and t...
#1 - Lessons from Deep History, Paleontology, and Existential Risk in a Modern Pandemic — With Adrian Currie
October 07, 2020 20:48 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBIn the first episode of 21st Talks, Coleman Snell talks with Philosopher, Paleontologist, and Existential Risk expert Adrian Currie. They talk about disasters, What paleontology can tell us about our world's response to Covid-19, and the importance of cultivating narratives for our disaster response. What can the deep past tell us about our modern predicament? Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on the Podcast, Blog, and to apply for our Meaning Oriented Communities (MOC) program. Or f...
Lessons from Deep History, Paleontology, and Existential Risk in a Modern Pandemic — With Adrian Currie
October 07, 2020 20:48 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBIn the premiering episode of 21st Talks, Coleman Snell talks with Philosopher, Paleontologist, and Existential Risk expert Adrian Currie. They talk about disasters, What paleontology can tell us about our world's response to Covid-19, and the importance of cultivating narratives for our disaster response. What can the deep past tell us about our modern predicament? Thank you for listening and all of the support already shown to the podcast!
#1 Lessons from Deep History, Paleontology, and Existential Risk in a Modern Pandemic — With Adrian Currie
October 07, 2020 20:48 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBIn the first episode of 21st Talks, Coleman Snell talks with Philosopher, Paleontologist, and Existential Risk expert Adrian Currie. They talk about disasters, What paleontology can tell us about our world's response to Covid-19, and the importance of cultivating narratives for our disaster response. What can the deep past tell us about our modern predicament? Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on the Podcast, Blog, and to apply for our Meaning Oriented Communities (MOC) program. Or f...