Global Catastrophic Risks

by Nick Bostrom, Milan M. Cirkovic

Overview

A global catastrophic risk is one with the potential to wreak death and destruction on a global scale. In human history, wars and plagues have done so on more than one occasion, and misguided ideologies and totalitarian regimes have darkened an entire era or a region. Advances in technology are adding dangers of a new kind. It could happen again.

In Global Catastrophic Risks 25 leading experts look at the gravest risks facing humanity in the 21st century, including asteroid impacts, gamma-ray bursts, Earth-based natural catastrophes, nuclear war, terrorism, global warming, biological weapons, totalitarianism, advanced nanotechnology, general artificial intelligence, and social collapse. The book also addresses over-arching issues - policy responses and methods for predicting and managing catastrophes.

This is invaluable reading for anyone interested in the big issues of our time; for students focusing on science, society, technology, and public policy; and for academics, policy-makers, and professionals working in these acutely important fields.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199606504
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	08/01/2011
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	576
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Nick Bostrom, PhD, is Director of the Future of Humanity Institute, in the James Martin 21st Century School, at Oxford University. He previously taught at Yale University in the Department of Philosophy and in the Yale Institute for Social and Policy Studies. Bostrom has served as an expert consultant for the European Commission in Brussels and for the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington DC. He has advised the British Parliament, the European Parliament, and many other public bodies on issues relating to emerging technologies.

Milan M. Cirkovic, PhD, is a senior research associate of the Astronomical Observatory of Belgrade, (Serbia) and a professor of Cosmology at Department of Physics, University of Novi Sad (Serbia). He received both his PhD in Physics and his MSc in Earth and Space Sciences from the State University of New York at Stony Brook (USA) and his BSc in Theoretical Physics was received from the University of Belgrade.

Table of Contents

AcknowledgementsForeword, Sir Martin J. ReesIntroduction, Nick Bostrom and Milan M. CirkovicI BackgroundLong-term astrophysical processes, Fred C. AdamsEvolution theory and the future of humanity, Christopher WillsMillenial tendencies in responses to apocalyptic threats, James J. HughesCognitive biases potentially affecting judgement of global risks, Eliezer YudkowskyObservation selection effects and global catastrophic risks, Milan M. CirkovicSystems-based risk analysis, Yacov Y. HaimesCatastrophes and insurance, Peter TaylorPublic policy towards catastrophe, Richard A. PosnerII Risks from NatureSuper-volcanism and other geophysical processes of catastrophic import, Michael R. RampinoHazards from comets and asteroids, William NapierInfluence of Supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, solar flares, and cosmic rays on the terrestrial environment, Arnon DarIII Risks from Unintended ConsequencesClimate change and global risk, David Frame and Myles R. AllenPlagues and pandemics: past, present, and future, Edwin Dennis KilbourneArtificial Intelligence as a positive and negative factor in global risk, Eliezer YudkowskyBig troubles, imagined and real, Frank WilczekIV Risks from hostile actsCatastrophe, social collapse, and and human extinction, Robin HansonThe continuing threat of nuclear war, Joseph CirincioneCatastrophic nuclear terrorism: a preventable peril, Gary Ackerman and William C. PotterBiotechnology and biosecurity, Ali Nouri and Christopher F. ChybaNanotechnology as global catastrophic risk, Chris Phoenix and Mike TrederThe totalitarian threat, Bryan CaplanAuthor's biographiesIndex