A Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence

by Jeff Hawkins

Now we find ourselves facing several existential threats. The first problem is that our old brain is still in charge and prevents us from making choices that support our long-term survival, such as reducing our population or eliminating nuclear weapons. The second problem is that the global technologies we have created are vulnerable to abuse by people with false beliefs. Just a few people with false beliefs can disrupt or misuse these technologies, such as by activating nuclear weapons. These people may believe that their actions are righteous and that they will be rewarded, perhaps in another life. Yet, the reality is that no such rewards would occur, while billions of people would suffer.