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

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: twitter.com
After On Podcast: after-on.com

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

SUPPORT & CONNECT:
– Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast
– Support on Patreon: www.patreon.com
– Twitter: twitter.com
– Instagram: www.instagram.com
– LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com
– Facebook: www.facebook.com
– Medium: medium.com

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