This shows that people are (sometimes) willing to act on small probabilities of human extinction.
Unfortunately, it’s a mixed case: there were motives besides pure altruism/self-interest. For example, Edward Teller was an advocate of asteroid defense… no doubt in part because it was a great excuse for using atomic bombs and keeping space and laser-related research going.
Unfortunately, it’s a mixed case: there were motives besides pure altruism/self-interest. For example, Edward Teller was an advocate of asteroid defense… no doubt in part because it was a great excuse for using atomic bombs and keeping space and laser-related research going.