Signal Over Noise - What We Owe the Future by Will Macaskill - Episode SummaryIn this episode, Sam & Owen explore the most meaningful concepts from Will Macaskill’s book "What We Owe the Future", focusing on five key takeaways that we might want to use to help shape our decisions today in view of their potential impact on countless future generations. We delve into ethical considerations, , cultural norms, and practical actions to ensure we leave a positive legacy - offering up our 5 key takeaways.Key topics covered:- The importance of considering future generations in our moral calculations, especially given the billions and trillions of potential future humans.- How our decisions today can influence the moral and physical inheritance we pass on, including environmental and cultural norms.- The concept of political disenfranchisement of future peoples who are unborn and powerless to influence current decisions.- The role of mental models, altruism, and active engagement in shaping a better future.- The influence of cultural norms on societal values and how they can become “sticky,” locking in certain behaviors through generations.- The significance of addressing neglected, high-leverage problems such as AI safety, biosecurity, and technological innovation to benefit future societies.- Reflection on economic practices like money creation and government debt, and their implications for future stability.- The immediacy of the future: how our actions start impacting the world the moment we decide to act and why this awareness can motivate us.Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to "What We Owe the Future" and its main premise01:28 - The math of doing the right thing: considering future populations02:40 - The shape of population growth and long-term impact04:20 - Expanding our moral circle to include future peoples05:14 - Political disenfranchisement of unborn generations06:37 - How individuals can actively contribute to a better future (volunteering, supporting institutions)07:26 - The metaphor of an hourglass: the narrow passage of current impact on future lives08:40 - The inheritance of cultural norms and their stickiness10:02 - Variations in societal norms across cultures (e.g., maternity leave in Scandinavia vs US)12:20 - The risk of locking in harmful norms and systems14:43 - Extending our moral consideration beyond those who will be parents15:14 - The concept of hyperbolic discounting and undervaluing the future16:29 - Making decisions with concrete implications for today’s world17:14 - Taking action now to positively influence technology and societal progress18:13 - The importance of addressing neglected, high-leverage global problems19:25 - Final thoughts on the book’s pacing and readability20:40 - The future begins the instant we act; the importance of continuous effort22:17 - Addressing large-scale economic and environmental challenges today23:13 - The dangers of monetary devaluation and irresponsible fiscal policy25:01 - The metaphor of future impact as a slow-motion collision with the present26:13 - Closing remarks and encouragement to read the bookThis episode encourages reflection on how current choices shape the moral, environmental, and technological inheritance we leave for future generations, urging us to act with a long-term perspective.