Thread

1. wewewedxfgdf · 1791070718 · focus · HN ↗

   Please explain exactly how all humanity could be wiped out.

   It's ridiculous - anyone who thinks about it for a minute or two will realize that its utterly impossible.

   Ordinary people/politicians don't understand AI so they turn off their rational mind and assume there is something super incredible some magical powers that they cannot understand that can destroy all humans.

   Even humans - the real risk to humanity - could not destroy all humans even if they tried. There is no plausible scenario.

   Even climate change and nuclear war and bio weapons - the most damaging mechanisms - would still only get some percentage of the people on earth.

   And if we are talking about Skynet and self replicating robots and Terminators - please, grow up.

   1. mitthrowaway2 · 1791102605 · focus · HN ↗

      When I think to scenarios that no human would survive, I think of the end-Permian mass extinction event, which wiped out most complex plant and animal life in both land and sea.

      One speculated mechanism for this was a mass release of hydrogen sulfide gas from the oceans, which is acutely toxic. Not only does this kill most air-breathing life, it also strips the ozone layer and irradiates the surface. The planet is then left to cook in this manner for some centuries.

      Engineering an event like this would require immense industrial capacity, as well as a deliberate objective of wiping out humanity. But I don't think it's beyond our ability, if we were both clever and stupid enough to try it. There are likely chemical compounds that would do the job more efficiently than hydrogen sulfide.

      1. bcjdjsndon · 1791111290 · focus · HN ↗

         > The planet is then left to cook in this manner for some centuries.

         Such destruction went on to create humanity and all we've achieved. Maybe there is an even smarter species waiting in the wings for the demise of homo sapiens. Your logic is very human centred

         1. mitthrowaway2 · 1791123902 · focus · HN ↗

            Yes, I am describing a tragic outcome that I hope we can be wise enough to steer away from. Also, as a human, I can't help but keep our interests close at heart.

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