Uploaded March 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Robin Hanson is an associate professor of economics at George Mason University and a research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute of Oxford University. In this episode we spoke about... the future of humanity! In particular, the role of falling birth rates in stifling innovation, and what this means for a possible high tech future. In short, it looks like we are all more likely to become Amish than to become cyborgs. We discuss whether or not that's a good thing.
In the extended version of the episode, we also spoke about what we can learn about cultural evolution from the early history of Christianity, and what individuals can do to prepare themselves for a low fertility future.
02:34 Why have birthrates become so problematic?
07:50 Why does a shrinking population make us poorer?
13:20 How innovation is hit by birthrate decline
25:22 A more localised world?
33:32 High tech future vs Amish future
47:21 The decline in religion and birthrate collapse
MMM is sponsored by 321 - a new online introduction to Christianity, presented by former MMM guest Glen Scrivener. Check it out for free at 321course.com/MMM. Just enter your email, choose a password and you’re in — there’s no spam and no fee
The MMM podcast can also be found on Apple, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms: https://linktr.ee/maidenmothermatriarch
Follow Maiden Mother Matriarch on social media:
Twitter: twitter.com/maiden_podcast
Instagram: instagram.com/maiden_mother_matriarch
TikTok: tiktok.com/@maiden_podcast
#LouisePerry #RobinHanson #MaidenMotherMatriarch
Robin Hanson is an associate professor of economics at George Mason University and a research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute of Oxford University. In this episode we spoke about... the future of humanity! In particular, the role of falling birth rates in stifling innovation, and what this means for a possible high tech future. In short, it looks like we are all more likely to become Amish than to become cyborgs. We discuss whether or not that's a good thing.
In the extended version of the episode, we also spoke about what we can learn about cultural evolution from the early history of Christianity, and what individuals can do to prepare themselves for a low fertility future.
02:34 Why have birthrates become so problematic?
07:50 Why does a shrinking population make us poorer?
13:20 How innovation is hit by birthrate decline
25:22 A more localised world?
33:32 High tech future vs Amish future
47:21 The decline in religion and birthrate collapse
MMM is sponsored by 321 - a new online introduction to Christianity, presented by former MMM guest Glen Scrivener. Check it out for free at 321course.com/MMM. Just enter your email, choose a password and you’re in — there’s no spam and no fee
The MMM podcast can also be found on Apple, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms: https://linktr.ee/maidenmothermatriarch
Follow Maiden Mother Matriarch on social media:
Twitter: twitter.com/maiden_podcast
Instagram: instagram.com/maiden_mother_matriarch
TikTok: tiktok.com/@maiden_podcast
#LouisePerry #RobinHanson #MaidenMotherMatriarch
