SOL Symposium Discussion on Ontological Shock
This morning, the SOL Foundation unveiled a new video from its 2024 Symposium, titled The Last Humans: UFOs and National Security. Presented by Dr. Alexander Wendt from The Ohio State University’s College of Arts and Sciences at the Mershon Center for International Security Studies, this talk delves into the potential impacts of ontological shock on anthropocentrism and the social contract following the revelation of non-human intelligence (NHI). Dr. Wendt explores the risks associated with catastrophic or uncontrolled disclosure. Those who advocate for full and immediate transparency—often referred to as the “nothingburger” crowd—might find his insights particularly enlightening.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/meKDlwyKV-A?si=DOvHTnLQdrr_DDz1
This sounds like a fascinating talk! Dr. Wendt’s exploration of ontological shock and its implications for anthropocentrism and the social contract opens up a critical dialogue about how humanity might react to the disclosure of non-human intelligences (NHI). The concept of a worst-case scenario is definitely thought-provoking, especially considering the polarized views on disclosure. It’s interesting to think about how unprepared we might be for such a revelation and the potential repercussions on society. I’ll definitely check out the video to understand his perspectives better and see how they contrast with the “nothingburger” viewpoint. Thanks for sharing the link!