#450 — More From Sam: Resolutions, Conspiracies, Demonology, and the Fate of the World
In this episode of Making Sense, Sam Harris shares his experience attempting to live as if it were his last year, including an unexpected interruption due to a city fire. He also explores the relationship between technology and mindfulness, discussing how meditation apps can help users manage their thoughts and improve focus despite smartphones' tendency to fragment attention.
The episode covers Harris's conversation with Ross Douthat about theological arguments and biblical interpretation, examining how religious texts handle controversial topics. Harris also addresses artificial intelligence risks, noting a shift in public perception toward entertainment rather than concern. He discusses the need for global cooperation in managing AI challenges, particularly between the U.S. and China, while considering how nationalist politics might affect these efforts.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Dec 30, 2025 episode of the Making Sense with Sam Harris
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Personal Practices and Resolutions
Sam Harris shares his experience with a unique personal practice: living as if it were his last year. Just seven days into this experiment, Harris faced an unexpected disruption when a city fire forced him to evacuate his home. While his house survived, the event derailed his intended practice, forcing him to focus on real estate matters rather than his planned priorities.
Harris also discusses the relationship between technology and mindfulness. While acknowledging smartphones' tendency to fragment attention, he suggests that certain applications, particularly meditation apps like Waking Up, can actually help reunify attention. He explains that meditation allows practitioners to recognize and manage their thoughts more effectively, ultimately leading to improved focus and reduced negative responses.
Discussions of Religion and Philosophy
In a conversation with Ross Douthat, Harris explores complex theological arguments. Douthat proposed that God included controversial elements like slavery in the Bible to allow for moral evolution over time. While Harris acknowledges this as a well-crafted argument, he criticizes it as unfalsifiable and potentially capable of rationalizing any problematic content in religious texts. He compares such defenses to the justifications found in Scientology, expressing frustration with what he sees as intellectual dishonesty in religious argumentation.
Concerns About AI Risks and Implications
Harris expresses serious concern about artificial intelligence risks, noting that public interest has shifted toward entertainment rather than genuine alarm. He points to AI developers like Sam Altman, who acknowledge significant risks while lacking clear mitigation strategies. Harris emphasizes that addressing these AI challenges requires global cooperation, particularly between major powers like the U.S. and China. However, he worries that nationalist tendencies in American politics may hinder the necessary international collaboration needed to address AI risks effectively.
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Counterarguments
- While living as if it were his last year may provide a sense of urgency and focus, it could also lead to short-term thinking and neglect of long-term planning and responsibilities.
- The disruption caused by the city fire could be seen as a real-world test of Harris's ability to adapt his practice to unforeseen circumstances, rather than a derailment.
- Some might argue that smartphones and technology, when used with intention and discipline, can enhance productivity and mindfulness rather than detract from them.
- Critics of meditation apps might suggest that they commercialize and dilute the traditional practices of meditation, potentially reducing their effectiveness.
- There is a debate within the religious community about the interpretation of controversial elements in sacred texts, and some theologians might argue that these elements must be understood in their historical context.
- Others might contend that comparing religious justifications to those found in Scientology is an unfair comparison that does not account for the diversity and depth of religious thought.
- Regarding AI risks, some experts might argue that the entertainment value of AI can serve as a gateway to broader public engagement with more serious issues related to AI.
- There may be a counterargument that while global cooperation is ideal, individual nations or smaller coalitions could still make significant progress in AI safety and governance.
- Some might assert that nationalist tendencies can also foster innovation and competition in AI development, which could lead to faster progress in safety measures.
Actionables
- You can adopt a "last year mindset" by writing a future eulogy for yourself, focusing on what you'd want to be remembered for, and then aligning your daily actions with those values to ensure you're living in a way that reflects your priorities.
- This exercise encourages you to consider your legacy and can lead to meaningful changes in behavior. For example, if you realize you want to be remembered as a generous person, you might start volunteering regularly or helping out friends and family more often.
- To counteract the attention-fragmenting nature of smartphones, create a "mindfulness phone zone" in your home where you engage with your device intentionally.
- This could be a specific chair or corner where you only use your phone for mindful activities like reading long-form articles or practicing language learning. By associating this space with focused attention, you train your brain to resist the urge to mindlessly scroll when you're in that zone.
- Enhance your understanding of AI risks by starting a book club focused on science fiction and non-fiction works about artificial intelligence.
- This can be a fun and social way to explore the topic more deeply. Books like "Life 3.0" by Max Tegmark or "Neuromancer" by William Gibson can spark discussions about AI's potential impact on society, encouraging you to think critically about the subject and its real-world implications.
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Personal Practices and Resolutions
Sam Harris shares valuable insights on the implications of living with personal practices centered around mindfulness and confronting the unexpected challenges of reality.
Sam Harris Plans to Live as if It's His Last Year
Sam Harris's Last Year Practice Disrupted by City Fire
Sam Harris describes how his experiment to live as if it were his last year was dramatically interrupted when a fire broke out in his city. Just seven days into the practice, he found himself evacuating his home. Although Harris's house was spared from the flames, he hasn't been able to go back, and his year has since been occupied with real estate concerns—matters he wouldn't have chosen to prioritize if it genuinely were his final year.
Meditation and Mindfulness Overcome Attention Fragmentation From Smartphone Use and Social Media
Smartphones Fragment Attention, but Meditation Apps Like Waking Up Can Unify It
Harris acknowledges the popular critique that smartphones contribute to fragmenting attention and a sort of collective derangement. However, he believes in distinguishing between the device's varied applications, noting that smartphones serve different purposes, not all of which are detrimental. He advocates for using smartphones to consume audio content such as books, conversations, and particularly guided meditations, as these can be positively engaging. Apps like his own Waking Up offer guided meditations and instruction that can reunify attention, a stark contrast to the disruptive nature of social media.
Meditation Uncovers Distraction, Enhancing Focus and Reducing Negativity
Expanding on the practice of meditation, Harris draws an analogy between mastering one's thoughts and a blackjack player strategically choosing cards. He suggests that similarly, individuals can select which t ...
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Personal Practices and Resolutions
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Counterarguments
- While Sam Harris advocates for living as if it's one's last year, some might argue that this mindset could lead to irresponsible or short-sighted decisions, as long-term consequences are not considered.
- The disruption of Harris's last year practice by a city fire could be seen as a testament to the unpredictability of life and the challenge of adhering to any strict personal resolution in the face of real-world events.
- The claim that smartphones fragment attention might be countered by pointing out that fragmentation of attention is not a new phenomenon and can be attributed to a variety of sources, not just technology.
- While meditation apps like Waking Up are suggested to help unify attention, critics might argue that relying on digital devices for mindfulness could paradoxically contribute to the very problem of tech dependency they aim to solve.
- The effectiveness of meditation in enhancing focus and reducing negativity is not universally experienced; some individuals may not find meditation helpful and could benefit from other forms of mental health support or stress relief.
- The idea that meditation allows individuals to select which thoughts to engage with might be challenged by those who argue that thoughts cannot always be controlled or chosen, and that acceptance rather than selection is a more realistic approach to mindfulness.
- The analogy of meditation to a blackjack player strategically choosing cards could be criticized for oversimplifying the complexity of the mind and the practice of meditation.
- The notion that recognized thoughts lose their power might not hold true for everyone, particularly for individuals dealing with trauma or mental health issues where pr ...
Actionables
- You can create a "Last Year" journal to document daily actions and reflections as if it were your final year, encouraging a more intentional and meaningful approach to life. Start by setting aside a few minutes each evening to write down what you did that day that you would consider important if you had only one year left. This practice can help you prioritize activities that align with your values and goals.
- Designate "smartphone-free" zones or times in your home to cultivate uninterrupted focus and reduce the fragmentation of attention. For example, make your dining area a phone-free zone during meals, or establish the first hour after waking up as a time to engage in activities that don't involve your phone, like reading, exercising, or meditating. This can help you experience the benefits of undivided attention and presence.
- Engage in a daily "thought observation" exercise where you set ...
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Discussions of Religion and Philosophy
During a podcast with Ross Douthat, Sam Harris enters into a discussion about the nature of God, morality, and religious texts.
Sam Harris Doubted God Included Slavery in the Bible For Moral Progress
Jaron Lowenstein brings up Harris's podcast where Douthat presented an argument regarding why a perfect God would include slavery in the Bible. Douthat's proposition was that, although God knew slavery was wrong, it was included in the Bible to leave space for Christians' moral evolution over time. Harris was not convinced by this proposition but recognized that it was a well-crafted idea.
Sam Harris Calls Ross Douthat's Argument A Well-Crafted but Unfalsifiable Dodge Rationalizing Objectionable Religious Content
Harris goes on to critique what he considers to be Douthat's unfalsifiable argument. Harris finds that the argument has the potential to rationalize any content in the Bible, no matter how objectionable, as a route left open by God for human discovery, including possible numerical mistakes that might be coded messages for humanity to decipher.
Sam Ha ...
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Discussions of Religion and Philosophy
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Counterarguments
- Douthat's argument could be seen as an attempt to reconcile the historical context of the Bible with the evolving moral standards of society, rather than a rationalization of objectionable content.
- The concept of a perfect God allowing for moral evolution could be interpreted as a divine pedagogy, where humans are given the freedom to grow and understand morality in their own historical and cultural contexts.
- Unfalsifiable arguments are not unique to religious discourse and can be found in many areas of philosophy and metaphysics, where certain concepts are beyond empirical testing.
- Comparing religious justifications to those found in Scientology may not account for the significant historical, cultural, and theological differences between various religious traditions.
- Criticizing religious texts without considering their interpretative traditions might overlook the complex hermeneutical methods used within those religions to address seemingly objectio ...
Actionables
- You can start a personal journal to track your evolving moral perspectives, noting how they might be influenced by various sources, including religious texts. By doing this, you create a record of your moral development over time, which can help you understand and articulate your values and how they change. For example, after reading a controversial passage, write down your initial reaction, any historical context you know, and how you reconcile it with your current moral framework.
- Engage in a book club or discussion group focused on examining historical texts from a moral evolution standpoint. This encourages critical thinking and collective insight into how societal values have shifted over time. For instance, choose a book from a different era each month and discuss how its moral and ethical viewpoints reflect the period it was written in and what lessons can be drawn for today's society.
- Create a " ...
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Concerns About AI Risks and Implications
Sam Harris voices deep concerns over the understanding and management of artificial intelligence (AI) risks and calls for global cooperation amidst rising geopolitical tensions.
Sam Harris Warns of AI Risks, Despite Waning Attention
Sam Harris: Advanced AI Risks Undiminished, Public Finds It Entertaining, Not Alarming
Harris articulates the challenges of sustaining serious concern over AI dangers, with the public perception leaning towards intrigue rather than alarm. He highlights the uniqueness of AI risks, equating them to the worrisome yet almost entertaining downsides that the public is discussing.
Sam Harris Finds It Troubling That AI Developers, Aware of Risks, Express Grave Concerns About Potential Catastrophic Outcomes
Sam Harris points out that those deeply entrenched in AI development, like Sam Altman, recognize but don't downplay the risks, and he is troubled by the lack of a clear plan to mitigate these dangers. Harris refers to the likelihood of catastrophic outcomes from AI as indicated by developers, suggesting a nerve-wracking lack of control over the technology's future implications.
Sam Harris: Addressing AI Risks Requires Global Cooperation Ami ...
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Concerns About AI Risks and Implications
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Counterarguments
- Public interest in AI risks may fluctuate, and what seems like waning attention could be a temporary lull or a shift in focus to more immediate concerns.
- The perception of AI risks as entertaining could be a coping mechanism or a way to engage a broader audience in the conversation, rather than a sign of complacency.
- While AI risks are unique, they may also share characteristics with other technological risks, and lessons from other domains could be applicable to AI risk management.
- AI developers may have plans to mitigate risks that are not widely publicized or understood by the general public, including ongoing research into AI safety and ethics.
- There may be control mechanisms over AI implications in place that are not visible to the public or that are in the early stages of development.
- Global cooperation is ideal but challenging; alternative approaches could involve regional agreements or industry-specific s ...
Actionables
- You can increase awareness by starting conversations about AI risks with friends and family, using relatable examples like smartphone assistants to illustrate potential issues. Explain how these technologies, while helpful, could lead to unintended consequences if their capabilities continue to grow unchecked. For instance, discuss a scenario where a digital assistant misunderstands a command and performs an action that has legal or ethical ramifications.
- Encourage critical thinking by sharing articles and resources on social media that delve into the complexities of AI risks. Look for pieces that explore different perspectives, including those from AI developers, ethicists, and policymakers. Share these with a brief personal insight or question to spark discussion and reflection among your network.
- Support organizations tha ...
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