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The following articles will help you gain an understanding of how to think about existential risks, and why most people don't.
Thoroughly researched, the book goes into depth on each of several possible scenarios, and the implications of each. Far from being the starry-eyed, overzealous excitement about speculated developments that many of us have come to expect from futurism, Bostrom is rigorous intellectually cautious, calmly laying out the arguments for the various positions. Even if you ultimately disagree with the conclusion that AGI poses an existential risk, I encourage you to deal seriously with Bostrom’s arguments. If you think the problem is trivial, or think you have an easy solution, it’s nearly certain to be flawed, and this book has covered it in detail. To anyone who already thinks that the “singularity” might be important, Superintelligence is the best summation of research that has been done up to this point. Read this book, it’s an eye-opener.
This book explains the danger in detail. James Barrat interviewed many of the researchers in the field, plus knowledgeable external experts, to assemble this layman-readable overview. It is easy to comprehend, well organized, and is about the people involved as well as the technologies. It points out the ordinary human motivations that lead to inappropriately discounting and denying dangers, and how they play out in this field.
Although he does not pitch a fund drive, it is clear that anyone can make a difference. Barrat identifies the very small number of tiny organizations that are working to reduce the danger. Small size means small contributions have a big impact. Ordinary people, experts in various fields (especially mathematics), students, and wealthy people can contribute and improve humanity's chances to survive this century and prosper.
I invite you to read this book, then get into action. The clock is ticking.
SHfHS is a small organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for existential risk reduction. SHfHS is a philanthropic foundation. This means that we don't directly do work on reducing X-Risk; rather, we fund people who do. You can help.