Thanks to the virtual switch, 2020 has allowed us to reach more talent than ever across the world. To leverage this opportunity, in 2021 we are launching four virtual focus groups, on Biotechnology & Health Extension, Molecular Machines, Intelligent Cooperation & Computing, and Existential Hope. Inspired by virtual monthly keynote meetings, invited scientists, entrepreneurs, and allies in each group cooperate on opportunities for advancing their fields. In addition to monthly keynotes, each group has a weekly virtual social to allow members to connect & collaborate.
You can now join our virtual groups, see your support at work, and take part in the efforts – wherever you are based.
Foresight Existential Hope Group: This group of inspired scientists, philosophers, and activists connected via a virtual community explores crucial opportunities for humanity to leverage high-impact STEM areas for flourishing futures. Join by Becoming a Senior Associate Member: support the work of this group to be invited to our monthly virtual keynote meetings, and access the group’s weekly socials in gather.town in 2021. Keynotes program here, regularly updated on our website.
Join the launch with Toby Ord, Future of Humanity Institute on February 26, 11 am PST.
EXISTENTIAL HOPE 2021 KEYNOTES (more to come)
February – Existential Risk vs. Existential Hope: A Fragile World with Extraordinarily Good Possibilities
March – Sensemaking: From Dilemmas to Solutions
April – Healing the Planet: Civilization as a Net Positive to the Biosphere
May – Through the Porthole of a Space Civilization: Lessons for Earth
June – Cognitive Enhancement: Pathways
July – Cyberspaces: From Default Governance to Global Cooperation
August – Of Liberatory Technotopias
Foresight Biotechnology & Health Extension Group: This group of biotechnology experts and investors focuses on advancing foundational progress on preventative and rejuvenative technologies to guarantee long healthy lives for humans.
Foresight Molecular Machines Group: This group of nanotechnology-focused scientists cooperates to spur long-term progress on molecular machines by advancing the work of selected Foresight Feynman Prize winners, and those likely to win in the future, to create atomically precise applications in energy, medicine, and materials science.
Foresight Intelligent Cooperation Group: This group of experts in computer science, cryptography, AI and related fields focuses on advancing applications that increase cooperation among human and emerging intelligences and defend against future automated digital and physical threats.
To fund the project generation of our groups on Biotech & Health Extension, Molecular Machines, and Intelligent Cooperation, and be invited to join the monthly virtual keynote meetings and regular socials of these groups in 2021, reach out to us about your interest in becoming a Sponsor or Patron. We would love to schedule a brief call with you to discuss how our work can better align with your priorities.
Foresight President Allison and Program Director Lou in our Gather.town Avatars. We can’t wait for our weekly socials in our cozy virtual lounges in 2021!
Thanks to our $70K Challenge Grant, every contribution you make — fiat, crypto, stock — will be doubled!
PS. Did you know that the CARES act greatly benefits U.S. donors giving this year? Here is what it means for you if you donate by December 31 this year:
Suspension of the 60 percent adjusted gross income limitation for individuals’ charitable contributions for the year 2020. In a typical year, individuals can only take a charitable deduction of up to 60 percent of their adjusted gross income, no matter how much they give. For 2020, there is no limit, making cash contributions fully deductible.
Temporary Universal Charitable Deduction—For 2020, taxpayers who do not itemize their deductions can take a one-time deduction of up to $300 for gifts made to 501c3 charitable organizations like Foresight.
Both of these apply to cash gifts (check and credit card okay), but not donated goods, volunteer hours, stock, or (we assume) crypto.
Foresight Institute is excited to welcome Allison Duettmann as new President of the organization, and grateful to Steve Burgess for his services. Here’s a word by both of them to the community:
“It has been the honor of my life to serve as President of the Foresight Institute these past few years. And now I am honored to pass the torch on to a visionary newer generation in the person of the brilliant, insightful, and compassionate Allison Duettmann.
The conventional wisdom is that we live in uncertain times. Like that’s a bad thing. Aren’t the times always uncertain? Isn’t the future there for us to make it what it will become?
That is one of the reasons why I am happy and hopeful to live in a world that has a Foresight Institute as it accelerates its positive impact for optimal futures – futures that remain open to becoming a world that works better for everyone.
Excelsior!
“I am grateful to Steve for his exemplary services, and to Foresight for the trust expressed in me by appointing me as Foresight’s new President. Little did I know what wonderful organization — and community — I would be joining and now stewarding when I reached out to Foresight in 2014 to offer my volunteering services.
I look forward to continuing the astounding legacy of this 30+-year-strong organization and, together with all of you, seize the newly emerging unusual opportunities to advance crucial technologies for the benefit of life and the biosphere.
Please reach out to learn more or let me know how YOU would like to collaborate. I can’t wait for what we will build together. There aren’t many of us, the time window is shortening and the stakes are high; let’s make our descendants and future selves proud.”
Allison
Find more information on our programs and community on foresight.org.
We can’t wait for what we will create together in 2021.
Your Foresight team
