#193 – Rob Reid: The Existential Threat of Engineered Viruses and Lab Leaks

3:05:11

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Rob Reid is an author and podcaster. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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EPISODE LINKS:
Rob's Twitter: https://twitter.com/rob_reid
After On Podcast: https://after-on.com/

PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips

SUPPORT & CONNECT:
- Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast
- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman
- Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman

OUTLINE:
Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) - Introduction
(08:33) - The most entertaining outcome is the most likely
(14:52) - Meme theory
(18:12) - Writing process
(24:59) - Engineered viruses as a threat to human civilization
(32:45) - Gain-of-function research on viruses
(44:54) - Did COVID leak from a lab?
(52:15) - Virus detection
(1:00:04) - Failure of institutions
(1:07:48) - Using AI to engineer viruses
(1:12:07) - Evil and competence
(1:21:26) - Where are the aliens?
(1:25:19) - Backing up human consciousness by colonizing space
(1:34:48) - Superintelligence and consciousness
(1:46:12) - Meditation
(1:54:20) - Fasting
(2:00:20) - Greatest song of all time
(2:05:46) - Early days of music streaming
(2:17:39) - Startup advice
(2:30:50) - Podcasting
(2:46:12) - Advice for young people
(2:55:15) - Mortality
(3:00:41) - Meaning of life