Ok, so you’re talking about a scenario where humans cease to exist, and other intelligent entities don’t exist or don’t find Earth, but where there is still value in certain things being done in our absence. I think the answer depends on what you think is valuable in that scenario, which you don’t define. Are the “best things” safeguarding other species, or keeping the earth at a certain temperature?
But this is all quite pessimistic. Achieving this sort of aim seems like a second best outcome, compared to humanity’s survival.
For example, if earth becomes uninhabitable, colonisation of other planets is extremely good. Perhaps you could do more good by helping humans to move beyond earth, or to become highly resilient to environmental conditions? Surely the best way to ensure that human goals are met is to ensure that at least a few humans survive.
Anyway, going with your actual question, how you should pursue it really depends on your situation, skill set, finances, etc, as well as your values. The philosophical task of determining what should be done if we don’t survive is one potential. (By the way, who should get to decide on that?) Robotics and AI seem like another, based on the examples you gave. Whatever you decide, I’d suggest keeping the flexibility to change course later, e.g. by learning transferrable skills, in case you change your mind about what you think is important.
Ok, so you’re talking about a scenario where humans cease to exist, and other intelligent entities don’t exist or don’t find Earth, but where there is still value in certain things being done in our absence. I think the answer depends on what you think is valuable in that scenario, which you don’t define. Are the “best things” safeguarding other species, or keeping the earth at a certain temperature?
But this is all quite pessimistic. Achieving this sort of aim seems like a second best outcome, compared to humanity’s survival.
For example, if earth becomes uninhabitable, colonisation of other planets is extremely good. Perhaps you could do more good by helping humans to move beyond earth, or to become highly resilient to environmental conditions? Surely the best way to ensure that human goals are met is to ensure that at least a few humans survive.
Anyway, going with your actual question, how you should pursue it really depends on your situation, skill set, finances, etc, as well as your values. The philosophical task of determining what should be done if we don’t survive is one potential. (By the way, who should get to decide on that?) Robotics and AI seem like another, based on the examples you gave. Whatever you decide, I’d suggest keeping the flexibility to change course later, e.g. by learning transferrable skills, in case you change your mind about what you think is important.