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David Wood

@dw-2.bsky.social

260 followers 170 following 560 posts

Chair, London Futurists. Executive Director of LEV Foundation. Author or Lead Editor of 12 books about the future. PDA/smartphone pioneer. Symbian co-founder

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David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · May 23

Hello Bluesky!
Anyone looking for mind-expanding future-focused content should find plenty to savour in londonfuturists.buzzsprout.com

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 18h

A fun aside in closing: which Beatles song has been streamed most often on Spotify? #5 is Hey Jude, #4 is Yesterday, #3 is Let it Be, #2 is Come Together, and #1 has the same kind of warm sunny optimism that McKibben's book exudes www.backgroundanimal.com/articles/10-...

The 10 Best Beatles Songs (Based on Streams) — Background Animal

Explore the top 10 most streamed Beatles songs on Spotify, from classics like “Here Comes The Sun” to timeless hits like “Let It Be.” Discover why these tracks continue to captivate listeners worldwid...

www.backgroundanimal.com

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 18h

If you're still unconvinced about the scale of the dangers of the energy status quo - or if you're pessimistic about what solar and wind power can accomplish - then I strongly recommend this book to you: "A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization".

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 18h

Some parts of the book are perhaps indulgent and unnecessarily discursive. But I see these parts as illuminating the human dynamics of the drama. And given the seriousness of the topic, occasional doses of light relief are welcome.

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 18h

In other words: whilst a wonderful solar-powered future is within our grasp, we're not going to reach it without skilfully combatting the torrents of disinformation and cronyism that keep finding new ways to sow doubt about the costs, sustainability, and scalability of solar.

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 18h

But McKibben is a realist too. He includes examples of the terrible damage that is already resulting from unchecked climate change. And he chronicles the fierce resistance and devilish skulduggery that proponents of the status quo apply in protection of their profit streams.

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 18h

Again and again while listening to this book, I found myself thinking - "of course, this is such a clear explanation". So, indeed, my optimism has increased, that we humans can set aside our addictions to dirty energy sources, sufficiently quickly.

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 18h

For example: Until recently, I thought that batteries and grids still lagged far behind the requirements to convert most of our electricity and heating to sun and wind. As McKibben explains, these shortfalls, too, are being made up fast.

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 18h

People have advanced many arguments why solar and wind power will be insufficient to head off catastrophic climate change. Until recently, these arguments have seemed strong. But McKibben's new book shows how much has changed with improvements in the technology and distribution.

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 18h

"Here Comes the Sun" is a wonderful mix of grounded optimism and cautious realism. It's written by @billmckibben.bsky.social, who has been worried (with good reason) for 4 decades about risks of escalating global warming. But it surveys recent game-changing improvements in solar & wind tech.

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 22h

From an excellent article by Stephen Witt in the New York Times, that should make every reader pause and reflect www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/o...

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 1d

As Craig explains, his ideas about superintelligence were significantly influenced by the 1985 book by Marvin Minsky, "The Society of Mind". That's a book I remember having a big impact on me, too, nearly 40 years ago www.goodreads.com/book/show/32...

Discover and share books you love on Goodreads.

www.goodreads.com

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 1d

To build a safe superintelligence, create a community with AIs exchanging messages transparently, and humans who answer questions about "ought" rather than "is". That's what Craig Kaplan advocates in the latest fascinating London Futurists Podcast londonfuturists.buzzsprout.com/2028982/epis...

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 2d

"Naked mole rats' DNA could hold key to long life... the discovery was exciting and 'the tip of the iceberg' when it comes to understanding why these animals live such extraordinarily long lives"
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Naked mole rats reveal genetic secret to long life

The bald, subterranean rats are the world's longest-lived rodent.

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 2d

Wed 15th Oct: This informal gathering of London Futurists, in a venerable Fleet St pub, provides an opportunity to take part in conversations with people who think they have important sparks of foresight to share and debate. Join us! More details here: www.meetup.com/london-futur...

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 5d

For more about the Oxford Biohacking Society and its events this term, see www.oxfordbiohackingsociety.com/event-list

Events | Oxford Biohacking Society

www.oxfordbiohackingsociety.com

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 5d

In or near Oxford on Friday 17th October? Consider joining me at the Oxford Biohacking Society where I'll be speaking on "Transhumanism for Human Enhancement and Radical Longevity".

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 6d

An excellent but chilling analysis of deep flaws in human nature, their terrible impact on democracy, and mechanisms to counter those evils. The real question isn't why has the US pandered to Tr*mp. It's why didn't a disaster like Tr*mp happen earlier www.theunpopulist.net/p/why-is-the...

Why Is the American Experiment in Trouble? Simple: A Demagogue Has Ignited the ‘Dark Passions’ of the People

Liberalism’s real failure is that it assumes far too sunny a view of human nature, three recent books suggest

www.theunpopulist.net

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 7d

What are the risks involved with various approaches to AI safety? Which AI governance initiatives around the world are the most promising? With plenty of "aha" moments, the recording of yesterday's London Futurists webinar is now available www.youtube.com/watch?v=EADx...

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 8d

I'm anticipating a high-insight conversation tomorrow (Saturday 4th October) at the London Futurists webinar on "Options for the future of global AI governance". To register to attend visit www.meetup.com/london-futur...

Why Saying Less Often Means More

Mastering the art of impactful brevity. And drawing it simply We live in a world drowning in words. Emails, meetings, reports, strategy decks. Endless streams of language. Yet the more we pile on, the less people actually hear.

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 12d

"AI solving longevity(?): the huge opportunities and the huge risks" - my slides are now ready for SEMAL, the 23rd International Congress of Anti-Aging Medicine and Medical Aesthetics, in Madrid, the day after TransVision 2025 madrid2025.semal.org

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 15d

For more details, including the agenda for Day 2 (with an option of hands-on training), as well as a chance to register at the 11th hour, see luma.com/yqqvtdyy?tk=...

Biostasis in the UK · Luma

Final spots for Biostasis UK 2025! Cryonics leaders Max More, Aschwin de Wolf, and Emil Kendziorra present Biostasis in the UK - a two-day weekender packed…

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 15d

There are lots of good topics and speakers on the agenda for Day 1 of "Biostasis in the UK" tomorrow (Saturday). The session I'm probably most anticipating is "An update on the legal aspects of cryonics with an emphasis on the new UK right-to-die legislation"

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 16d

"A close look at her DNA revealed gene variants that protected her heart and brain cells from disease and dementia. She had low levels of inflammation throughout her body, which reduced her risk of cancer and diabetes, and efficient cholesterol and fat metabolism"

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 16d

"'The common rule is that as we age we become sicker, but she was an exception and we wanted to understand why,' said Dr Manel Esteller at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute in Barcelona. 'For the first time, we’ve been able to separate being old from being sick.'"

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 16d

Learning from unusually healthy supercentenarians: "If we could figure out which specific genes are associated with extreme human longevity and healthy old age it could provide clues about interventions that allow everyone to live longer, healthier lives" www.theguardian.com/science/2025...

Supercentenarian gives scientists insight on secrets of healthy old age

Tests on Maria Branyas Morera, who was world’s oldest person before she died aged 117, gave doctors a trove of discoveries

www.theguardian.com

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 17d

"Hunger strike held outside London AI lab to ‘stop humans being crushed like ants’" - as reported in London's Metro newspaper. Includes a 2 minute interview with the hunger strikers metro.co.uk/2025/09/24/h...

'I went on hunger strike to stop the AI race'

Coordinated hunger strikes have called on Big Tech to stop developing 'vastly superhuman' artificial intelligence which could destroy us.

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 17d

Multiple standing ovations, thoroughly deserved. This is America the beautiful, America the free youtu.be/c1tjh_ZO_tY

Jimmy Kimmel is Back!

YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 18d

For more details about TransVision Madrid, see www.transvisionmadrid.com

TransvisionMadrid

www.transvisionmadrid.com

David Wood @dw-2.bsky.social · 18d

I'm all set for my talk at TransVision Madrid International Longevity Summit next week. My topic is "The Longevity Dividend Paradox - And how we can solve it". I'll review four factors that dissuade politicians from pursuing the longevity dividend - and how to transcend them