Hope Drop #32: Adam Marblestone | Solving Science’s Biggest Gaps
"We’re building infrastructure for the scientific process itself, like the Hubble Space Telescope but across many disciplines."
In this episode of the Existential Hope Podcast, our guest is Adam Marblestone, CEO of Convergent Research. Adam shares his journey from working on nanotechnology and neuroscience to pioneering a bold new model for scientific work and funding: Focused Research Organizations (FROs). These nonprofit, deep-tech startups are designed to fill critical gaps in science by building the infrastructure needed to accelerate discovery.
Tune in to hear how FROs are unlocking innovation, tackling bottlenecks across fields, and inspiring a new approach to advancing humanity’s understanding of the world.
Adam’s Recommended Resources
Engines of Creation – A foundational book by Eric Drexler exploring the potential of molecular nanotechnology to transform the world.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (IMDb) – A sci-fi film directed by Steven Spielberg, exploring advanced AI and its relationship with humanity.
Steve Byrnes Blog – A blog focused on neuroscience, AI alignment, and understanding human cognition through the brain’s steering subsystems.
DNA Origami – A technique for designing and assembling nanoscale structures using DNA strands as a building material.
Expansion Microscopy Description – A technique that enlarges biological specimens for nanoscale imaging using physical expansion methods.
Adam’s Vision for the Future: Understanding the Brain to Better Guide Humanity
Imagine a future where we finally understand the human brain’s basic structure—how it drives our values, motivations, and well-being. This isn’t about uploading minds or building superintelligence but about gaining practical insights into how our brains work. With this understanding, we could improve mental health, align technology with human needs, and make life better in countless ways.
At the same time, science becomes more efficient. We remove the red tape and inefficiencies that slow progress, enabling researchers to focus on solving big problems instead of navigating bureaucracy. This shift unlocks faster innovation and encourages bold new ideas.
Together, these changes create a turning point: we overcome key barriers to understanding ourselves and advancing as a society, opening up real possibilities for a better future.
Xhope Library Recommendations
TheNeurotech - An overview of the neurotechnology domain. Website/Blog
Neuralink: The Brain’s Magical Future - Tim Urban. An overview of Neuralink’s likely plans for Brain Computer Interfaces. Forum/blog-post
Mind-uploading - Kurzgesagt. Explainer video on mind-uploading. Video
The Ultimate Interface: Your Brain - Ramez Naam. On the promises of brain machine interfaces. Book
Community Updates
RadicalxChange launched Combinations: a new publication exploring ideas about economics, democracy, and the relationship between technology and power.
Stories shape our understanding of the world, yet it is the mechanisms we build that transform these stories into tangible realities. Combinations’ inaugural issue, “Myth and Mechanism,”explores the interplay between the grand narratives that have guided humanity—our theologies, historical legacies, and collective myths—and the concrete institutions and technologies that perpetuate them.
ALLFED is running a special 10% Gift Match Opportunity to amplify your impact in supporting a food-resilient future. Until midnight on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, any gift up to $5000 will be matched 10%.
Give now to help fund ALLFED’s ongoing work to research, evaluate, and promote resilient food solutions.
Existential Hope Program Director Beatrice Erkers ( gave a talk at EAGxVirtual 2024 on the role of "Existential Hope" in shaping the long-term future.
The talk goes into how Existential Hope can work alongside efforts to reduce existential risks and inspire a more holistic approach to future-building, one that emphasizes not only avoiding catastrophes but also aiming for profoundly positive futures.
Explore more on Existentialhope.com.