David Deutsch on Optimism
Why Hacker News recommends it
Pointed to as an antidote to pessimism about the future, tied to Deutsch's ideas in The Beginning of Infinity.
What it is
An excerpt from an RSA event in which physicist David Deutsch makes the case for optimism as a driver of progress in the 21st century. It is a short highlight of a longer discussion.
Recommended by 2 HN commenters across 2 different months, 2018 to 2022.
What Hacker News said
Strong rec ridewinter · 2019-10 · on “China attacks Apple for allowing Hong Kong crowdsourced police activity app”
I encourage everyone pessimistic about our future to learn about David Deutsch's infinite optimism: [this video]
Recommends nubero · 2022-08 · on ““Science must respect the dignity and rights of all humans””
You need to read “The Beginning of Infinity” by David Deutsch. It will help clear up all the muddled thinking I see going on when I read those lines of yours. Edit: You can also go here and watch this: [this video] I still recommend the book though.
Cites truculation · 2018-05 · on “Why the Luddites Matter”
>Of course, we know that today the Luddites are not viewed particularly kindly On the contrary, it is technology and progress that are viewed with scepticism -- watch almost any recent sci-fi movie. [this video]
Cites trukterious · 2018-10 · on “Space Transportation System”
Say we were to crash potentially earth-destroying asteroids into the moon and then offer free mining rights to companies on a first-to-get-there basis. I think we would still hear a a cacophony of moral objections. A spirit of pessimism seems to be hanging over us these days: [this video]