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Vulnerable world hypothesis
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<p>The vulnerable world hypothesis or the "black ball" hypothesis refers to the idea that civilizations may likely be destroyed by some <a href="/facts/Disruptive_technologies/ShoJutBR">disruptive technologies</a> (a black ball) unless extraordinary measures are taken against the scenario from happening. The philosopher <a href="/facts/Nick_Bostrom/kyNalABj">Nick Bostrom</a> introduced the hypothesis in an initial publication in 2019 in the journal <a href="/facts/Global_Policy/9dmKdb2A">Global Policy</a> and later further discussed in a 2022 essay published in <a href="/facts/Aeon_(magazine)/LfHLzIAm">Aeon</a> along with co-author Matthew van der Merwe. The hypothesis is quoted in discussions about the safety of advanced technologies. </p>