David Wood

Chair, London Futurists. Executive Director of LEV Foundation. Author or Lead Editor of 12 books about the future. PDA/smartphone pioneer. Symbian co-founder

[David Wood @dw2]

A thread of threads - the mini-book reviews that I have posted here during 2025. In chronological order. I happily recommend all but one of these books

[David Wood @dw2]

"A tale of two sceptics: What a volcano sceptic can teach us about AI scepticism" - my latest article for @Mindplex_AI. Read it at https://t.co/vLQAhYMGG6

[Tom Bibby @tombibbys]

Platforming AI denialists is way more reckless than platforming climate denialists.

Ed has said AI capabilities have hit a wall every month since 2024.

His proposal is Don't Look Up. If people listen to him we will all die.

[David Wood @dw2]

@theodorus5 Another reason to celebrate 😊

[David Wood @dw2]

Second, imagine if our greatest breakthrough won't be technological. Imagine if enabling and supporting trustworthy cooperation is the real key to a wonderful future. #xhopememeprize

[David Wood @dw2]

Music credit: "Lace Tablecloths" by The Mini Vandals, via YouTube Audio library https://t.co/5vyS9G3jG7

[David Wood @dw2]

Here's a video version of these same four glimpses of a future worth wanting #xhopememeprize

[David Wood @dw2]

Here's a video version of these same four glimpses of a future worth wanting #xhopememeprize

[David Wood @dw2]

I offer four glimpses of a future worth wanting - four visions of existential hope.

First, imagine if some of today's most painful limitations can soon be overcome - that much which we are currently resigned to accept can instead be challenged and vanquished.

#xhopememeprize🧵

[nxthompson @nxthompson]

.@So8res thinks it’s more likely than not AI will wipe out humanity by 2036. How does that belief affect his choices in life? He doesn’t save for retirement, but beyond that, he says, “I sort of do what I can and then I live a good life.”

We talked through all the ways we should try to lower those odds. Watch here: https://t.co/OBAGL3nfkN

[David Wood @dw2]

@Swayson @QonoVuor @ramez See also this recent video by Ezra Klein https://t.co/wjSSD8rwuM

[David Wood @dw2]

@QonoVuor @ramez The only way we're going to be able to do anything "gradually" is if we follow option 02 and give ourselves sufficient time. Otherwise all our fine aspirations will be swept away, as like by a huge storm

[David Wood @dw2]

@Swayson @QonoVuor @ramez This essay of mine is one entry point to understanding the problem space and it's potential solutions https://t.co/2kJGQ1HyHW

[David Wood @dw2]

@xah_lee We've moved far beyond science fiction https://t.co/wjSSD8rwuM

[David Wood @dw2]

@LondonFuturists ...and here's the podcast episode featuring Nick Humphrey https://t.co/LqUUp5ZdoX

[David Wood @dw2]

This looks good

[Calum Chace @cccalum]

Mark Solms and Nick Humphrey are two of the most important contributors to the discussion about machine consciousness. Join us on 3rd November as they debate the fundamental questions.

https://t.co/yq5Mw6CiHC

[David Wood @dw2]

I've had the pleasure to interview both Mark Solms and Nick Humphrey. Here's the recording of the @LondonFuturists webinar featuring Mark Solms... https://t.co/tR8IkPzM2z

[David Wood @dw2]

See also

[Binkg @dummerspast39]

I accidentally cut off the most interesting part of Darios speech 😭

"Please do not cripple the peaceful and exciting science that brings jobs to this city and progress to all humanity."

23 years later, he's running Anthropic.

[David Wood @dw2]

Intriguing

[Binkg @dummerspast39]

I found footage of 20yo Dario Amodei speaking against the Iraq War in 2003.

18 years before Anthropic even existed

[David Wood @dw2]

Here's a soul-searching set of questions you can try to answer to better understand humanity's existential and catastrophic risks. From @AISafetyAction. Warning: Not recommended for anyone faint hearted or easily triggered https://t.co/0otlIu5ffw