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Science & Technology

New risk report warns of future catastrophes

By T.K. Randall
April 28, 2016 · Comment icon 20 comments

Intelligent machines could pose a threat in the future. Image Credit: CC BY 2.0 Stephen Bowler
Scientists have warned that world governments are not doing enough to prepare for disaster scenarios.
In a new report entitled 'Global Catastrophic Risks', researchers at Oxford University have outlined the biggest threats to mankind, each with the potential to kill more than 10% of the population.

These range from well known disaster scenarios such as an asteroid strike or nuclear war to lesser known threats such as an apocalyptic virus or the eruption of a supervolcano.

Even a catastrophe brought about by intelligent machines has been taken in to consideration.
"There are some things that are on the horizon - things that probably won't happen in any one year but could happen - which could completely reshape our world and do so in a really devastating and disastrous way," said Sebastian Farquhar, director at Oxford's Global Priorities Project.

"History teaches us that many of these things are more likely than we intuitively think."

In particular the report emphasized the need for world governments to take measures to avoid such disasters by disposing of nuclear weapons, investigating the risks posed by intelligent computers and by better coordinating their plans for dealing with natural disasters and pandemics.

Source: Telegraph | Comments (20)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #11 Posted by PrisonerX 8 years ago
Lol sure they are. The plans just don't include you and I.
Comment icon #12 Posted by PrisonerX 8 years ago
Whoopee, we're all going to die. So what else is new? Nihilist detected.
Comment icon #13 Posted by MissJatti 8 years ago
What I don't understand is... why would a town or city be remade underneath a volcano, especially when that same volcano erupted and destroyed that town/city
Comment icon #14 Posted by GreenmansGod 8 years ago
Folks, the Lord did not give you a spirit of fear! Everything will be fine if you are saved! Jesus will return before any of these disasters happen to gather up his sheep and transport them to their heavenly eternal home! Really, that may just solve the problem right there. We Pagans will, at last, be able dance naked on the beach under the full moon. Hippy flowers and peace, y'all.
Comment icon #15 Posted by GreenmansGod 8 years ago
What I don't understand is... why would a town or city be remade underneath a volcano, especially when that same volcano erupted and destroyed that town/city The soil around volcanos is very rich and grows great crops. Farmers and workers need a place near their crops. I guess they figure it is worth the risk.
Comment icon #16 Posted by barbco196 8 years ago
Really, that may just solve the problem right there. We Pagans will, at last, be able dance naked on the beach under the full moon. Hippy flowers and peace, y'all. Not so fast mister! Some of us don't believe Jesus is coming back. Some of us believe he's been here all along and he wants you to keep your pants on.
Comment icon #17 Posted by phantulum 8 years ago
you guys have a Trump obscession just elect the guy and get over it.
Comment icon #18 Posted by Calibeliever 8 years ago
Really, that may just solve the problem right there. We Pagans will, at last, be able dance naked on the beach under the full moon. Hippy flowers and peace, y'all. Here Here. According to a recent study, I look better with my clothes off! Source: Living room. Sample size: 1. Margin of error +-1.
Comment icon #19 Posted by GreenmansGod 8 years ago
Not so fast mister! Some of us don't believe Jesus is coming back. Some of us believe he's been here all along and he wants you to keep your pants on. Tell him he is going to have to come to beach tell me that himself. Otherwise I am going to just keep dancing.
Comment icon #20 Posted by Zalmoxis 8 years ago
Those things aren't imminent. So, I would say, if the Yellowstone caldera explodes I ain't gonna be calling them about it and saying "Why didn't you warn me!?"


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