As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance and take over knowledge work jobs, a contrarian view emerges: this shift might be a necessary step for humanity’s progress. The overwhelming focus on the ‘Virtual Loop’ – encompassing social media, ad-tech, and other digital realms – has led to a stagnation in fundamental science. With AI poised to dominate this virtual space, humans are being forced to refocus on the ‘Survival Stack’: critical areas such as fusion, space exploration, and physical engineering that are essential for our future.

This transition, although potentially harsh, signifies a trade-off from digital comfort to tangible physical progress. It prompts us to reconsider our priorities and allocate our capital and talent more effectively towards areas that promise substantial advancements for humanity. For a deeper dive into this argument, read the full argument here.

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