Max More, Ph.D
Chairman, Extropy Institute
People's freedom to innovate technologically is highly valuable, even critical, to humanity. This implies several imperatives when restrictive measures are proposed: Assess risks and opportunities according to available science, not popular perception. Account for both the costs of the restrictions themselves, and those of opportunities foregone. Favor measures that are proportionate to the probability and magnitude of impacts, and that have a high expectation value. Protect people's freedom to experiment, innovate, and progress.
Biography
Max More, Ph.D., is an internationally acclaimed strategic futurist who writes, speaks, and organizes events about the fundamental challenges of emerging technologies. More is concerned that our rapidly developing technological capabilities are racing far ahead of our standard ways of thinking about future possibilities. His work aims to improve our ability to anticipate, adapt to, and shape the future for the better. More is Founder and Chairman of Extropy Institute, a diverse network of innovative thinkers committed to creating solutions to enduring human problems. He is the author of the “Proactionary Principle” (a response to the Precautionary Principle) and “Principles of Extropy.”
As a consultant for ManyWorlds, Inc., More works with organizations to improve strategic futures thinking and weave it into regular decision-making and innovation processes. This includes analyzing the interaction of technological trends, and developing strategic scenarios. More is presently working on a book, tentatively titled The Proactionary Principle, that responds to resurgent neophobia and bioconservatism with a spirited yet balanced defense of progress.
More has a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics from St. Anne's College at Oxford University. He was awarded a Dean's Fellowship in Philosophy in 1987 by the University of Southern California, where he studied and taught philosophy with an emphasis on philosophy of mind, ethics, and personal identity. More received his Ph.D. in 1995 with a dissertation that examined the nature of death, and what it is about each individual that continues despite great change over time.