Rob Reid: The Existential Threat of Engineered Viruses and Lab Leaks | Lex Fridman Podcast #193

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/

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Clips playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrAXtmErZgOeciFP3CBCIEElOJeitOr41

OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
2:28 - The most entertaining outcome is the most likely
8:47 - Meme theory
12:07 - Writing process
18:54 - Engineered viruses as a threat to human civilization
26:40 - Gain-of-function research on viruses
38:50 - Did COVID leak from a lab?
46:10 - Virus detection
53:59 - Failure of institutions
1:01:43 - Using AI to engineer viruses
1:06:02 - Evil and competence
1:15:21 - Where are the aliens?
1:19:14 - Backing up human consciousness by colonizing space
1:28:43 - Superintelligence and consciousness
1:40:07 - Meditation
1:48:15 - Fasting
1:54:15 - Greatest song of all time
1:59:41 - Early days of music streaming
2:11:34 - Startup advice
2:24:45 - Podcasting
2:40:07 - Advice for young people
2:49:10 - Mortality
2:54:36 - Meaning of life

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