Singularity is Near

A Stark Warning From a Former AI Doomer

Deep Questions with Cal Newport, 8 October 2026. The book comes up at 32 min 26 sec in.

The guest describes discovering Kurzweil's book as a turning point that drew them into the transhumanist movement after leaving religion. A specific passage is cited in which Kurzweil claims a greater than 50% chance humanity survives the century—adding that he's always been accused of being an optimist. The guest notes this implies accepting up to a 50% chance of self-destruction, raising the question of why such technologies should be developed.

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