The Precipice Reading Group

Humanity stands at a precipice. Our species could survive for millions of generations—enough time to end disease, poverty, and injustice, and reach new heights of flourishing. But this vast future is at risk. With the advent of nuclear weapons, humanity entered a new age, gaining the power to destroy ourselves without the wisdom to ensure that we won’t. Since then, these dangers have only multiplied, from climate change to engineered pandemics and unaligned artificial intelligence. If we do not act fast to reach a place of safety, it may soon be too late.

Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll read The Precipice, a book about existential risk and the future of humanity by Oxford University philosopher Toby Ord. The Precipice is now widely considered to be among the greatest books ever written on the subject of existential risk.

We hope you join us in examining some of the most pressing problems of our time—and learning how you can help solve them.

We plan to run the next iteration of The Precipice Reading Group in the near future.