The Precipice

Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity

By: Toby Ord

Narrated by: Toby Ord

Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

This urgent and eye-opening book makes the case that protecting humanity's future is the central challenge of our time.

If all goes well, human history is just beginning. Our species could survive for billions of years - enough time to end disease, poverty, and injustice, and to flourish in ways unimaginable today. But this vast future is at risk. With the advent of nuclear weapons, humanity entered a new age, where we face existential catastrophes - those from which we could never come back. Since then, these dangers have only multiplied, from climate change to engineered pathogens and artificial intelligence. If we do not act fast to reach a place of safety, it will soon be too late.

Drawing on over a decade of research, The Precipice explores the cutting-edge science behind the risks we face. It puts them in the context of the greater story of humanity: showing how ending these risks is among the most pressing moral issues of our time. And it points the way forward, to the actions and strategies that can safeguard humanity.

An Oxford philosopher committed to putting ideas into action, Toby Ord has advised the US National Intelligence Council, the UK Prime Minister's Office, and the World Bank on the biggest questions facing humanity. In The Precipice, he offers a startling reassessment of human history, the future we are failing to protect, and the steps we must take to ensure that our generation is not the last.

©2020 Toby Ord (P)2020 Recorded Books

Good summary of long-term risks

Good overview and introduction to long-term risks facing humanity. It balances accurate summaries of the problem with optimistic and hopeful outlooks for the future, as well as things readers can do to improve the likelihood that the future is positive.

Extremely important and impactful

This book by Toby Ord is extremely important review of the landscape of what could end Humanity completely, and what we can do about it. This is one of the most important books for this extremely important century.

Inspiring, important, and well written book

Exceptional book about an issue that has an excellent case for being the most important topic of our times. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Important Message

Through thoroughly expressed conceptual explanation, Ord paints a picture both terrifying and optimistic. I came away much more aware, yet viewing that awareness with absolute belief that the human experience can face those challenges effectively.

Informative

Great read. This book is a great reminder to all of us - especially for those who hold powerful positions, those who are intellectuals and visionaries, those who are well-off to understand their roles and behaviors they play in the world and the ecosystems.

Mind opening

Thanks to the author for disrupting current context of short termism and parochialism and remind us of the big picture and its appeal if we get our act together.

Great book! Great as an audiobook too

It’s an eye opening book, even if you don’t buy 100% of the arguments. Love the discussion of pandemics (scarier than you’d expect), nuclear winters (less scary than you’d expect), and more!

Most important book of the century

Must read for everyone. More epic than any science fiction - but completely nonfiction! A compelling argument that everyone needs to hear.

Profound, and profoundly important.

Whether or not you agree with all of the author's assumptions (and I do agree with most of them) these are profoundly important questions. And Ord's cool-headed manner of addressing them is a good model to follow.

Brilliant book, brilliant subject, brilliant author

Toby Ord is the perfect writer for the topic. The book is methodical, but never slow; exciting, but never sensationalized; moral, but never preachy. It shines most while delving deep into fascinating topics that actually impact our generation and the ones that follow.

Ord will make you reevaluate what the future means and how you view the world in which you live. Personally, reading this book made me switch careers and gift this book to three others — all within just the first couple months after finishing.

Read “The Precipice.” It is — honestly — my favorite book.