The issue of advancing technology and the possibility of more powerful and dangerous weapons that can be developed and controlled by smaller groups of people has been discussed for decades.
The Oxford guys biggest fear is biological weapons.
They fear –
Genetic engineering of small pox could create a new strain which would wipe out all or most of humanity.
However, this is not a trend or technical development that would be greatly effected by near term cognitive enhancement.
Enhancement of intelligence with drugs or mind computer interfaces will have a limited impact on innovation and intellectual productivity.
The weapons of mass destruction have basically existed for decades. World war I had chemical and biological weapons. It does not take a greater than current human intelligence to repeat what was done with smaller groups.
Improved space propulsion and launch systems and enhancement of systems like Bigelow Aerospace’s inflatable space stations could enable within two to five decades significant space colonization.
Those developments and more like them will increase the robustness of individuals and society.
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Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.