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

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: https://twitter.com/rob_reid

After On Podcast: https://after-on.com/



PODCAST INFO:

Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8

RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/

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YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips



SUPPORT & CONNECT:

- Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast

- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman

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- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman

- Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman



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