Should we engineer the extinction of mankind on utilitarian grounds? Another normal conversation.

An essay prompts us to consider whether suffering is part and parcel of consciousness, and whether this means existing is worse than not. Plus, Bill and Ted references!

Notes

• The essay that kicks this one off: “Benevolent Artificial Anti-Natalism (BAAN)” by Thomas Metzinger
• Looks like Metzinger did not invent the concept of existence bias. And it seems like existence bias is maybe a form of, or at least related to, status quo bias.
• The landmark essay by Thomas Nagel, “What is it like to be a bat?”
• Do parents even matter?
• According to Zach, Yuval Harari explores the potential range of human happiness at some length in his book that no one will shut up about, Sapiens. (I will read this someday. You’ll see. You’ll all see!)
• Anthony Bourdain is cool.
• “Happiness is Love — and $75,000”
• “Updated Brain Map Identifies Nearly 100 New Regions” (via The New York Times)
• I admit it: I have nootropic and optimization anxiety. I’m a fan of Smart Drug Smarts and Found My Fitness, but I’m just not ready to figure out my stacks yet. If you have tips for getting the self-hacking ball rolling, please send them our way.

Media Mentions

Tom

• The Waking Up podcast with Sam Harris
• Preacher
• The Leftovers

Scott

• Bossypants by Tina Fey
• Something To Tell You by Haim
• Dragon Ball Full Color by Akira Toriyama
• ChocZero’s ChocoNite Premium Hot Cocoa

Zach

• Gordon Ramsay’s scrambled eggs