If we don’t achieve existential security (a persistent state of negligible x-risk), an existential catastrophe is destined to happen at some point, wiping out humanity’s longterm potential. Despite the incredible importance of achieving existential security, there is a lack of a consensus within the EA community on how best to do so, which is partly down to a lack of high-quality, in-depth research on this question. Instead, most research has focused on reducing specific existential risks. I’d like to see a major research project initiated to identify the optimal strategies to achieving existential security. This project should be inter-disciplinary, including both theoretical and applied experts in economics, philosophy, international relations, sociology, policy, and more. Not only would this project identify the optimal strategies to achieve existential security, but it would also identify the most effective actions to be taken by policymakers and other relevant stakeholders to help achieve this goal.
Optimal strategies for existential security
Research That Can Help Us Improve
If we don’t achieve existential security (a persistent state of negligible x-risk), an existential catastrophe is destined to happen at some point, wiping out humanity’s longterm potential. Despite the incredible importance of achieving existential security, there is a lack of a consensus within the EA community on how best to do so, which is partly down to a lack of high-quality, in-depth research on this question. Instead, most research has focused on reducing specific existential risks. I’d like to see a major research project initiated to identify the optimal strategies to achieving existential security. This project should be inter-disciplinary, including both theoretical and applied experts in economics, philosophy, international relations, sociology, policy, and more. Not only would this project identify the optimal strategies to achieve existential security, but it would also identify the most effective actions to be taken by policymakers and other relevant stakeholders to help achieve this goal.