End of the world: Expert warns of 'human EXTINCTION' if scientific test goes wrong

Existential risk is the theory a future event could lead to a global catastrophe and consequently the end of life on Earth. Josh Clark is a published author and the presenter of the scientific podcast “Stuff You Should Know” and fears a future scientific test has the potential to mark the end of the world. Mr Clark revealed during a guest appearance on Big Think’s “Think Again” podcast how another experiment similar to the first nuclear detonation could happen again in the future. 

The former anthropology student detailed how he feared risks could be taken in the name of science that could have grave consequences. 

He said on March 17: “There’s this idea among the scientific community that there is no such thing as going too far and that is dangerous.

“The first nuclear detonation was considered an existential risk because we were not sure what would happen. 

“We are developing technology that, if you couple it with human’s idea that ‘everything will work out’, we are going to end up blowing ourselves up.

“By that, I do not mean a couple of people will die, I mean if one thing goes wrong, there is no second chance and humanity is driven to extinction.”

Mr Clark went on to expand on how human nature teaches us to learn from our mistakes. 

He added: “The problem with existential risk is we do not get a do-over, there is no second chance. 

“This is really hard for us because that is how we learn how to not eat poisonous mushrooms by one of us trying them and ending up dead. 

“The rest of the group then say ‘OK, steer clear of those’ and we spread the knowledge. 

“There has always been enough humans left over to keep the species going, even if some had to die along the way.”

However, Mr Clark chillingly reminded listeners how we cannot afford to have this mindset going forward.

He continued: “With existential risks, this is what makes them so different, they don’t follow that model. 

“We have to figure them out before they happen, because once they happen they may not be any humans left to learn from them.

“There’s no drawing board because it will either be vaporised or no humans left to read it.

“It would be a global, species-wide effect.”

source: express.co.uk