Very happy to see you doing this, and hope you’re doing well.
Question: What is your view on catastrophic risks from communicable versus noncommunicable biological or chemical threats—for example, biotoxins, anthrax, or chemical weapons, as opposed to possible communicable disease bioweapons like smallpox? Specifically, do you see a justification for considering [noncommunicable threats] global catastrophic risks? [Edited to clarify.]
(I’m interested in hearing your views on lots of topics, but since I’m not going to ask fifty question here, I wanted to pick something I think you may disagree with the “EA consensus” about.)
David,
Great to hear from you, and I look forward to your other forty nine questions the next time we meet in person. Communicable biological weapons represent an existential or omnicidal risk. Non-communicable biological weapons could also be catastrophic. In my opinion several million dead is catastrophic, even if it is not existential. Thankfully, much that we can do to prevent the worst case will also reduce the lesser included case. Also, some non-communicable BW agents like antibiotic and vaccine resistant anthrax are more probable. So if there is an “EA consensus” to ignore toxins and anthrax, I would disagree.
Very happy to see you doing this, and hope you’re doing well.
Question: What is your view on catastrophic risks from communicable versus noncommunicable biological or chemical threats—for example, biotoxins, anthrax, or chemical weapons, as opposed to possible communicable disease bioweapons like smallpox? Specifically, do you see a justification for considering [noncommunicable threats] global catastrophic risks? [Edited to clarify.]
(I’m interested in hearing your views on lots of topics, but since I’m not going to ask fifty question here, I wanted to pick something I think you may disagree with the “EA consensus” about.)
David, Great to hear from you, and I look forward to your other forty nine questions the next time we meet in person. Communicable biological weapons represent an existential or omnicidal risk. Non-communicable biological weapons could also be catastrophic. In my opinion several million dead is catastrophic, even if it is not existential. Thankfully, much that we can do to prevent the worst case will also reduce the lesser included case. Also, some non-communicable BW agents like antibiotic and vaccine resistant anthrax are more probable. So if there is an “EA consensus” to ignore toxins and anthrax, I would disagree.
“Specifically, do you see a justification for considering the former global catastrophic risks?”
Which is the “former”, communicable or non-communicable?
Thanks, fixed!