Nuclear War from a Cosmic Perspective
Max Tegmark (MIT)

TL;DR
This paper examines how advancements in computer technology influence nuclear war policies and highlights humanity's poor risk mitigation, which threatens long-term cosmic prospects for life.
Contribution
It offers a cosmic perspective on nuclear risk, emphasizing the importance of improved simulations and risk management for humanity's future.
Findings
Computer progress enhances nuclear winter modeling.
Humanity's risk mitigation is inadequate.
Potential long-term cosmic consequences of nuclear war.
Abstract
I discuss the impact of computer progress on nuclear war policy, both by enabling more accurate nuclear winter simulations and by affecting the probability of war starting accidentally. I argue that from a cosmic perspective, humanity's track record of risk mitigation is inexcusably pathetic, jeopardizing the potential for life to flourish for billions of years.
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Taxonomy
TopicsNuclear Issues and Defense · Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life · Earth Systems and Cosmic Evolution
