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Catastrophic Mistake

Stories, interviews, and analysis in this subject.

Article Oct 28, 2026

A tale of two sceptics

What a volcano sceptic can teach us about AI scepticism

David Wood 13 min read

Community Dec 2, 2025

What Would Happen if Earth's Rotation Stopped for Just One Second?

One second. Earth freezes. You don’t. At 1,000 mph you’re airborne, cities vaporize under supersonic winds, oceans leap ashore. Then spin slams back apocalypse, twice in a heartbeat.

Emrakeb Ermias 4 min read

Article Mar 30, 2025

How to build BGIs instead of CGIs

As the runaway race to build AGI accelerates, mechanisms of effective global cooperation are collapsing. However, by drawing on timeless wisdom, humanity can do better!

David Wood 26 min read

Podcast Dec 22, 2023

Sanitation Danger at Burning Man | Highlights from S2EP2

Burning Man 2023 attendees narrowly escaped a potential cholera epidemic due to unsanitary conditions caused by nearly overflowing porta potties, but the sanitation problem remains a threat to future events.

Mindplex Magazine 1 min read