#193 – Rob Reid: The Existential Threat of Engineered Viruses and Lab Leaks
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About this episode
<p>Rob Reid is an author and podcaster. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:<br />
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<p><b>EPISODE LINKS:</b><br />
Rob’s Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/rob_reid">https://twitter.com/rob_reid</a><br />
After On Podcast: <a href="https://after-on.com/">https://after-on.com/</a></p>
<p><b>PODCAST INFO:</b><br />
Podcast website: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/podcast">https://lexfridman.com/podcast</a><br />
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<p><b>SUPPORT & CONNECT:</b><br />
– Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast<br />
– Support on Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman">https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman</a><br />
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– Medium: <a href="https://medium.com/@lexfridman">https://medium.com/@lexfridman</a></p>
<p><b>OUTLINE:</b><br />
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.<br />
(00:00) – Introduction<br />
(08:33) – The most entertaining outcome is the most likely<br />
(14:52) – Meme theory<br />
(18:12) – Writing process<br />
(24:59) – Engineered viruses as a threat to human civilization<br />
(32:45) – Gain-of-function research on viruses<br />
(44:54) – Did COVID leak from a lab?<br />
(52:15) – Virus detection<br />
(1:00:04) – Failure of institutions<br />
(1:07:48) – Using AI to engineer viruses<br />
(1:12:07) – Evil and competence<br />
(1:21:26) – Where are the aliens?<br />
(1:25:19) – Backing up human consciousness by colonizing space<br />
(1:34:48) – Superintelligence and consciousness<br />
(1:46:12) – Meditation<br />
(1:54:20) – Fasting<br />
(2:00:20) – Greatest song of all time<br />
(2:05:46) – Early days of music streaming<br />
(2:17:39) – Startup advice<br />
(2:30:50) – Podcasting<br />
(2:46:12) – Advice for young people<br />
(2:55:15) – Mortality<br />
(3:00:41) – Meaning of life</p>