[Article] “Longtermism: a call to protect future generations” by Cody Fenwick

It would be better for the future if we avoid extinction, manage our resources carefully, foster institutions that promote cooperation rather than violent conflict, and responsibly develop powerful technology.

Narrated by AI.

---

Outline:

(02:38) The case for longtermism

(05:08) 1. We should care about how the lives of future individuals go

(07:35) 2. The number of future individuals whose lives matter could be vast.

(12:41) 3. We have an opportunity to affect how the long-run future goes

(14:18) Reducing extinction risk

(16:59) Positive trajectory changes

(19:06) Longtermist research

(19:51) Capacity building

(20:49) Summing up the arguments

(21:54) Objections to longtermism

(22:30) Does longtermism mean we should focus on helping future people rather than people who need help today?

(25:04) Should we systematically discount future value?

(28:26) How does uncertainty about the future factor in to longtermism?

(31:27) Arent we just totally clueless about our effects on the future?

(34:01) What if my actions change the identities of individuals who are born in the future? (The non-identity problem)

(37:38) But should I care that future generations come to exist in the first place, rather than not?

(40:03) Do person-affecting views undermine the case for longtermism?

(43:44) Isnt it arrogant to think well know what will happen in hundreds, thousands, or millions of years?

(44:29) Isnt it just obvious that we should prevent extinction?

(46:00) Does longtermism depend on total utilitarianism?

(48:24) Does longtermism justify taking extremist or unethical actions to help future generations?

(49:55) Isnt this all just science fiction?

(51:48) Isnt this like Pascals wager?

(57:06) If I don't agree with 80,000 Hours about longtermism, can I still benefit from your advice?

(58:06) What are the best ways to help future generations right now?

(01:00:23) Want to focus your career on the long-run future?

(01:00:53) Learn more

(01:02:03) Read next

The original text contained 24 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

---

First published:
March 28th, 2023

Source:
https://80000hours.org/articles/future-generations

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

---

Images from the article:

Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.