“Galactic x-risks: Obstacles to Accessing the Cosmic Endowment” by JordanStone

EA Forum Podcast (Curated & popular)

Once we expand to other star systems, we may begin a self-propagating expansion of human civilisation throughout the galaxy. However, there are existential risks potentially capable of destroying a galactic civilisation, like self-replicating machines, strange matter, and vacuum decay. Without an extremely widespread and effective governance system, the eventual creation of a galaxy-ending x-risk seems almost inevitable due to cumulative chances of initiation over time and across multiple independent actors. So galactic x-risks may severely limit the total potential value that human civilisation can attain in the long-term future. The requirements for a governance system to prevent galactic x-risks are outlined, and updates for space governance and big picture cause prioritisation are discussed.

Introduction

I recently came across a series of posts from nearly a decade ago, starting with a post by George Dvorsky in io9 called “12 Ways Humanity Could Destroy the Entire Solar System”. It's a [...]

---

Outline:

(01:00) Introduction

(03:07) Existential risks to a Galactic Civilisation

(03:58) Threats Limited to a One Planet Civilisation

(04:33) Threats to a small Spacefaring Civilisation

(07:02) Galactic Existential Risks

(07:22) Self-replicating machines

(09:27) Strange matter

(10:36) Vacuum decay

(11:42) Subatomic Particle Decay

(12:32) Time travel

(13:12) Fundamental Physics Alterations

(13:57) Interactions with Other Universes

(15:54) Societal Collapse or Loss of Value

(16:25) Artificial Superintelligence

(18:15) Conflict with alien intelligence

(19:06) Unknowns

(21:04) What is the probability that galactic x-risks I listed are actually possible?

(22:03) What is the probability that an x-risk will occur?

(22:07) What are the factors?

(23:06) Cumulative Chances

(24:49) If aliens exist, there is no long-term future

(26:13) The Way Forward

(31:34) Some key takeaways and hot takes to disagree with me on

The original text contained 76 footnotes which were omitted from this narration.

---

First published:
June 18th, 2025

Source:
https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/x7YXxDAwqAQJckdkr/galactic-x-risks-obstacles-to-accessing-the-cosmic-endowment

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

---

Images from the article:

https://calvinmccarter.writeas.com/grabby-aliens-or-false-vacuum-decay-bubbles">

---

---

Apple Podcasts and Spotify do not show images in the episode description. Try Pocket Casts, or another podcast app.