In Futureproofing Humanity, I wrote a bit about Ted Kaczynski. I talked about his argument in the so-called “Unabomber Manifesto” (actually titled “Industrial Society and Its Future” … you can read it here). Most people who read the essay recognize there is a lot of sound reason involved. Regarding automation, Kaczynski feared that either we would come to be servants of the technology or else the wealthy and powerful would use it to oppress the rest of humanity.

Kacyznski’s argument is reasonable; his decision to write about his concerns is reasonable; his decision to send bombs to people is not. But when we act out of fear we make bad choices. In my book, I expressed concern that the blithe disregard for humanity that pervades our technocratic community would produce new Kaczynskis. And here we are. I probably wrote the Kaczysnki stuff in later 2024 or early 2025. I published the book in January. And now we have Molotov cocktails hurled at people’s homes.

The main point to Futureproofing Humanity is that some people are worried about humanity going extinct and they’ve bolstered a long-standing tech religion with that — but it’s the wrong religion. They correctly surmise that humanity is at risk and that technology is crucial to resolving such risks. But they’ve mixed in their personal profit and power in ways that exacerbate the risks they see. And because the everyday people aren’t stupid, they notice how the tech brigade serves itself at their own personal cost. The would be rulers of the world — the tech elite, the tech wealthy — are producing the conditions in which people throw bombs into their homes.

We need to live in a world where tech works for the people, and in such a world we would avoid a great deal of violence. Violence against the tech elite will breed more violence. But violence by the tech elite will do the same.

Let’s start telling better stories. Come join me with Futureproofing Humanity.