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

About this episode

<p>Rob Reid is an author and podcaster. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:<br /> &#8211; <b>Athletic Greens</b>: <a href="https://athleticgreens.com/lex">https://athleticgreens.com/lex</a> and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil<br /> &#8211; <b>Belcampo</b>: <a href="https://belcampo.com/lex">https://belcampo.com/lex</a> and use code LEX to get 20% off first order<br /> &#8211; <b>Fundrise</b>: <a href="https://fundrise.com/lex">https://fundrise.com/lex</a><br /> &#8211; <b>NetSuite</b>: <a href="http://netsuite.com/lex">http://netsuite.com/lex</a> to get free product tour</p> <p><b>EPISODE LINKS:</b><br /> Rob&#8217;s Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/rob_reid">https://twitter.com/rob_reid</a><br /> After On Podcast: <a href="https://after-on.com/">https://after-on.com/</a></p> <p><b>PODCAST INFO:</b><br /> Podcast website: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/podcast">https://lexfridman.com/podcast</a><br /> Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://apple.co/2lwqZIr">https://apple.co/2lwqZIr</a><br /> Spotify: <a href="https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8">https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8</a><br /> RSS: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/">https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/</a><br /> YouTube Full Episodes: <a href="https://youtube.com/lexfridman">https://youtube.com/lexfridman</a><br /> YouTube Clips: <a href="https://youtube.com/lexclips">https://youtube.com/lexclips</a></p> <p><b>SUPPORT &#38; CONNECT:</b><br /> &#8211; Check out the sponsors above, it&#8217;s the best way to support this podcast<br /> &#8211; Support on Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman">https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/lexfridman">https://twitter.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman">https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman">https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Medium: <a href="https://medium.com/@lexfridman">https://medium.com/@lexfridman</a></p> <p><b>OUTLINE:</b><br /> Here&#8217;s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.<br /> (00:00) &#8211; Introduction<br /> (08:33) &#8211; The most entertaining outcome is the most likely<br /> (14:52) &#8211; Meme theory<br /> (18:12) &#8211; Writing process<br /> (24:59) &#8211; Engineered viruses as a threat to human civilization<br /> (32:45) &#8211; Gain-of-function research on viruses<br /> (44:54) &#8211; Did COVID leak from a lab?<br /> (52:15) &#8211; Virus detection<br /> (1:00:04) &#8211; Failure of institutions<br /> (1:07:48) &#8211; Using AI to engineer viruses<br /> (1:12:07) &#8211; Evil and competence<br /> (1:21:26) &#8211; Where are the aliens?<br /> (1:25:19) &#8211; Backing up human consciousness by colonizing space<br /> (1:34:48) &#8211; Superintelligence and consciousness<br /> (1:46:12) &#8211; Meditation<br /> (1:54:20) &#8211; Fasting<br /> (2:00:20) &#8211; Greatest song of all time<br /> (2:05:46) &#8211; Early days of music streaming<br /> (2:17:39) &#8211; Startup advice<br /> (2:30:50) &#8211; Podcasting<br /> (2:46:12) &#8211; Advice for young people<br /> (2:55:15) &#8211; Mortality<br /> (3:00:41) &#8211; Meaning of life</p>