Is a More Advanced Civilization an Oxymoron?

As a kid, I dreamed of sinking into a bathtub full of dark chocolate and consuming it. The dream lost its appeal when I realized that the experience would be harmful for my health. Indeed, what attracts us may harm us. Flies are attracted to lamps and find their death there. Our civilization is addicted to advances in technology, but Henry Thoreau raised the alarm: “<a href="https://www.azquotes.com/quote/294145" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Our inventions … distract our attention from serious things</a>” and <a href="https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1335237" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">“Be wary of technology; it is often merely an improved means to an unimproved end.”</a> Thoreau was not aware of the existential risks from nuclear weapons in the hands of terrorist organizations or artificial intelligence (AI) in the hands of toxic governments, but he knew how to extrapolate to where humanity is heading. The more we advance technologically, the closer we get to the risk of self-extinction because any irresponsible activity carries greater consequences. With the aid of advanced technologies, our future conflicts may not be zero-sum games over resources or territories, but instead could end as a negative-sum game where everyone loses. <a href="https://avi-loeb.medium.com/is-a-more-advanced-civilization-an-oxymoron-25926c095191">Website</a>