Beyond saving lives: happiness and doing good (with Michael Plant)

Sep 17, 2025 1h 12m 9 insights Episode Page ↗
Dr. Michael Plant discusses applying evolutionary thinking and the 'Darwinian trap' concept to global challenges like climate change and AI safety. He emphasizes the need for global governance to address these existential risks, particularly the rapid advancement of AI and its potential for misuse or gradual human disempowerment.
Actionable Insights

1. Change Problem Narrative: “Hate the Game”

Shift your perspective on complex problems from blaming individuals (corrupt politicians, greedy CEOs) to understanding and addressing the underlying systemic “game” or incentives that drive problematic behavior. Focus on changing the system rather than just criticizing the players.

2. Invest in Technology Impact Prediction

Prioritize and advocate for significant investment in predicting the long-term implications of new technologies through advanced simulations before their widespread deployment. This helps avoid unforeseen negative consequences.

3. Advocate Symbolic AI Development

Support a shift in AI development towards symbolic approaches that allow for mathematical proofs of an AI’s likely actions, rather than building general intelligences whose behavior is impossible to fully predict. This aims for more controllable and predictable AI.

4. Advocate Supply Chain Transparency

Push for greater transparency in supply chains, especially for critical technologies like AI chips. This allows all involved actors to understand the end-use of components and leverage their influence for safer outcomes.

5. Leverage Value Chain “Votes” for Safety

In interconnected value chains, recognize that each essential actor holds a “vote.” If you are such an actor, consider leveraging your position to pull out if a product is deemed dangerous, potentially forcing a safer approach.

6. Support AI Chip Tracking

Support initiatives that track the location and access of advanced AI chips to prevent them from being acquired by dictatorial regimes or terrorist groups. This reduces the risk of misuse of powerful AI technology.

7. Apply Goodhart’s Law

When a metric becomes widely used, be aware of Goodhart’s Law, which states that it will be hacked. Look for ways people might be gaming the metric rather than genuinely improving the underlying goal.

8. Identify System Hacking in Promotions

Observe if promotions in your workplace are driven by “hacking the system” (e.g., befriending superiors) rather than pure competency. This awareness can help you understand underlying selection pressures and how to navigate them.

9. Leverage Supply Chain for Net Zero

If your company is in a jurisdiction committed to net zero, actively push your supply chain producers to also adopt net zero practices. This is crucial because 90% of emissions are often located in supply chains, creating a top-down network effect.