by David Wood
Here are some of the slides I'll be showing at tonight's London Futurists in the Pub get-together in Ye Olde Cock Tavern in Fleet Street. Click here to RSVP to confirm attendance www.meetup.com/london-futur...
by David Wood
The topic of the fireside chat where I'll be speaking is: Proactionary vs. Precautionary approaches to BGI and the Singularity. What are the strengths and risks of both approaches? Can we combine and transcend these individual approaches to ensure AGI truly benefits everyone?
by David Wood
I’m looking forward to joining global AI leaders and innovators in Istanbul next week for BGI 2025, to discuss the most pressing challenges in developing AGI so that it will be profoundly beneficial for humanity. Register now to watch the Summit online: shorturl.at/0VYCQ
by David Wood
To register to attend (in person only on this occasion, sorry) visit www.oxfordbiohackingsociety.com/event-detail...
Transhumanism for Human Enhancement and Radical Longevity | Oxford Biohacking Society
Find out what technological development will mean for the future of humanity by hearing from futurist and author David Wood who will discuss his book Vital Foresight.
www.oxfordbiohackingsociety.com
by David Wood
My slides are ready for my talk on Friday to the Oxford Biohacking Society: "Human enhancement and radical longevity - the view from transhumanism". I've included some favourite slides from previous presentations along with a number of brand new ones
by David Wood
4) Options for the Future of the Global Governance of AI
5) The latest from London Futurists Podcast
6) Oxford: Transhumanism, human enhancement, and radical longevity
Read the newsletter at londonfuturists.com/2025/10/12/t...
5) The latest from London Futurists Podcast
6) Oxford: Transhumanism, human enhancement, and radical longevity
Read the newsletter at londonfuturists.com/2025/10/12/t...
Transcending mediocre futurism
Dear futurists The world is full of remarkable change – some of it awe-inspiring, some of it deeply concerning. Yet we often find ourselves surrounded by what might be called “worldly w…
londonfuturists.com
by David Wood
Transcending mediocre futurism - the latest newsletter from London Futurists
1) Foresight exchange – Futurists in the pub, Wed 15th Oct
2) Here Comes The Sun, by Bill McKibben
3) Some highlights from TransVision Madrid
(continued)
1) Foresight exchange – Futurists in the pub, Wed 15th Oct
2) Here Comes The Sun, by Bill McKibben
3) Some highlights from TransVision Madrid
(continued)
by David Wood
A fun aside in closing: which Beatles song has been streamed most often on Spotify? #5 is Hey Jude, #4 is Yesterday, #3 is Let it Be, #2 is Come Together, and #1 has the same kind of warm sunny optimism that McKibben's book exudes www.backgroundanimal.com/articles/10-...
The 10 Best Beatles Songs (Based on Streams) — Background Animal
Explore the top 10 most streamed Beatles songs on Spotify, from classics like “Here Comes The Sun” to timeless hits like “Let It Be.” Discover why these tracks continue to captivate listeners worldwid...
www.backgroundanimal.com
by David Wood
If you're still unconvinced about the scale of the dangers of the energy status quo - or if you're pessimistic about what solar and wind power can accomplish - then I strongly recommend this book to you: "A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization".
by David Wood
Some parts of the book are perhaps indulgent and unnecessarily discursive. But I see these parts as illuminating the human dynamics of the drama. And given the seriousness of the topic, occasional doses of light relief are welcome.
by David Wood
In other words: whilst a wonderful solar-powered future is within our grasp, we're not going to reach it without skilfully combatting the torrents of disinformation and cronyism that keep finding new ways to sow doubt about the costs, sustainability, and scalability of solar.
by David Wood
But McKibben is a realist too. He includes examples of the terrible damage that is already resulting from unchecked climate change. And he chronicles the fierce resistance and devilish skulduggery that proponents of the status quo apply in protection of their profit streams.
by David Wood
Again and again while listening to this book, I found myself thinking - "of course, this is such a clear explanation". So, indeed, my optimism has increased, that we humans can set aside our addictions to dirty energy sources, sufficiently quickly.
by David Wood
For example: Until recently, I thought that batteries and grids still lagged far behind the requirements to convert most of our electricity and heating to sun and wind. As McKibben explains, these shortfalls, too, are being made up fast.
by David Wood
People have advanced many arguments why solar and wind power will be insufficient to head off catastrophic climate change. Until recently, these arguments have seemed strong. But McKibben's new book shows how much has changed with improvements in the technology and distribution.
by David Wood
"Here Comes the Sun" is a wonderful mix of grounded optimism and cautious realism. It's written by @billmckibben.bsky.social, who has been worried (with good reason) for 4 decades about risks of escalating global warming. But it surveys recent game-changing improvements in solar & wind tech.
by David Wood
From an excellent article by Stephen Witt in the New York Times, that should make every reader pause and reflect www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/o...
by David Wood
As Craig explains, his ideas about superintelligence were significantly influenced by the 1985 book by Marvin Minsky, "The Society of Mind". That's a book I remember having a big impact on me, too, nearly 40 years ago www.goodreads.com/book/show/32...
Goodreads
Discover and share books you love on Goodreads.
www.goodreads.com
by David Wood
To build a safe superintelligence, create a community with AIs exchanging messages transparently, and humans who answer questions about "ought" rather than "is". That's what Craig Kaplan advocates in the latest fascinating London Futurists Podcast londonfuturists.buzzsprout.com/2028982/epis...
by David Wood
"Naked mole rats' DNA could hold key to long life... the discovery was exciting and 'the tip of the iceberg' when it comes to understanding why these animals live such extraordinarily long lives"
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Naked mole rats reveal genetic secret to long life
The bald, subterranean rats are the world's longest-lived rodent.
www.bbc.com
by David Wood
Wed 15th Oct: This informal gathering of London Futurists, in a venerable Fleet St pub, provides an opportunity to take part in conversations with people who think they have important sparks of foresight to share and debate. Join us! More details here: www.meetup.com/london-futur...
by David Wood
For more about the Oxford Biohacking Society and its events this term, see www.oxfordbiohackingsociety.com/event-list
Events | Oxford Biohacking Society
www.oxfordbiohackingsociety.com
by David Wood
In or near Oxford on Friday 17th October? Consider joining me at the Oxford Biohacking Society where I'll be speaking on "Transhumanism for Human Enhancement and Radical Longevity".
by David Wood
An excellent but chilling analysis of deep flaws in human nature, their terrible impact on democracy, and mechanisms to counter those evils. The real question isn't why has the US pandered to Tr*mp. It's why didn't a disaster like Tr*mp happen earlier www.theunpopulist.net/p/why-is-the...
Why Is the American Experiment in Trouble? Simple: A Demagogue Has Ignited the ‘Dark Passions’ of the People
Liberalism’s real failure is that it assumes far too sunny a view of human nature, three recent books suggest
www.theunpopulist.net
by David Wood
What are the risks involved with various approaches to AI safety? Which AI governance initiatives around the world are the most promising? With plenty of "aha" moments, the recording of yesterday's London Futurists webinar is now available www.youtube.com/watch?v=EADx...
by David Wood
I'm anticipating a high-insight conversation tomorrow (Saturday 4th October) at the London Futurists webinar on "Options for the future of global AI governance". To register to attend visit www.meetup.com/london-futur...
by David Wood
"AI solving longevity(?): the huge opportunities and the huge risks" - my slides are now ready for SEMAL, the 23rd International Congress of Anti-Aging Medicine and Medical Aesthetics, in Madrid, the day after TransVision 2025 madrid2025.semal.org
by David Wood
For more details, including the agenda for Day 2 (with an option of hands-on training), as well as a chance to register at the 11th hour, see luma.com/yqqvtdyy?tk=...
Biostasis in the UK · Luma
Final spots for Biostasis UK 2025!
Cryonics leaders Max More, Aschwin de Wolf, and Emil Kendziorra present Biostasis in the UK - a two-day weekender packed…
luma.com