#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: - Athletic Greens: athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil - Belcampo: belcampo.com/lex and use code LEX to get 20% off first order - Fundrise: fundrise.com/lex - NetSuite: netsuite.com/lex to get free product tour EPISODE LINKS: Rob's Twitter: twitter.com/rob_reid After On Podcast: after-on.com/ PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: 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