Mauro Rebelo | Tagomago on Nostr: “a recurring theme in pessimistic theories throughout #history has been that an ...

“a recurring theme in pessimistic theories throughout #history has been that an exceptionally dangerous moment is IMMINENT. Our Final Century makes the case that the period since the mid twentieth century has been the first in which #technology has been capable of destroying #civilization. But that is not so. Many civilizations in history were destroyed by the simple technologies of FIRE and the SWORD. Indeed, of all civilizations in history, the overwhelming majority have been destroyed, some intentionally, some as a result of PLAGUE or #natural disaster. Virtually all of them could have avoided the catastrophes that destroyed them if only they had possessed a little ADDITIONAL #knowledge, such as improved AGRICULTURAL or MILITARY technology, better HYGIENE , or better POLITICAL or ECONOMICAL institutions. Very few, if any, could have been saved by greater caution about #innovation. In fact most had enthusiastically implemented the #precautionaryprinciple.”

— The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World de David Deutsch
https://amz.onl/cd2kNGp