-- A Cross-Disciplinary Dialogue of Civilizations
In April 2026, Beijing, vibrant with the spirit of spring, witnessed a historically profound academic meeting. Mr. Hu Jiaqi, Chairman of Humanitas Ark, received Professor Barry Barish, the 2017 Nobel Laureate in Physics and renowned as the "father of gravitational waves," in his Beijing office. The two engaged in an in-depth academic dialogue lasting over two hours.
One is a renowned anthropologist who has devoted his life to studying the fate of humanity and constructing the most comprehensive theoretical framework for technological crises. The other is a giant of natural science who, through his exceptional leadership of the LIGO project, captured the ripples in spacetime. This dialogue represents not only a profound intersection of natural sciences and humanities but also a significant marker that the issue of technological risks has attracted the close attention of the world's top scientists. This meeting follows Chairman Hu Jiaqi's previous major international academic exchange with Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Michael Levitt last month, reflecting his ongoing effort to unite global wisdom to address the potential threat of uncontrolled technology.
The Solitude and Perseverance of a Warning Voice: Building the Most Comprehensive Theoretical Framework for Technological Crises
Mr. Hu Jiaqi's unique position in academia stems from his solitary exploration spanning over four decades. He is the world's earliest pioneer in the systematic study of technological crises and the most comprehensive architect of this theoretical framework.
As early as 1979, Hu Jiaqi began his systematic research on human issues. Over twenty-eight years, he worked tirelessly, ultimately developing a complete academic structure. Hu Jiaqi argues that if science and technology continue to develop uncontrollably in their current mode, the extinction of humanity within this century or within two to three hundred years is not merely a possibility but a certainty. To raise public awareness of this risk, he has published multiple works both in China and internationally, including Saving Humanity, Saving Humanity (English), Спасите человечество (Russian), The Greatest Problem, and On Human Extinction.
Hu Jiaqi is not only a theorist but also the most dedicated promoter in the cause of saving humanity. To spread awareness of the crisis globally, he has written repeatedly to politicians, scientists, and media figures worldwide, sending over one million letters in total. This decades-long commitment stems from his core methodological principle—the Principle of Maximum Value: the holistic survival of humanity overrides all else. In his view, whenever individual or national interests conflict with the holistic survival of humanity, the latter must prevail unconditionally.
Rigorous Logical Deduction: From Extinction Path Analysis to Defense Limit Testing
During the dialogue, Hu Jiaqi explained in detail to Professor Barish his qualitative analytical method for demonstrating that "technology will inevitably lead to human extinction." In contrast to the Bayesian assessment models or probabilistic methods commonly used in academia, Hu Jiaqi argues that probabilistic reasoning is unscientific due to the singularity of the "human extinction" sample. He has proposed a logically rigorous framework of "Extinction Path Analysis" and "Defense Limit Testing."
This argument proceeds in five steps:
1. Increasing Destructive Power of Tools: From cold weapons to gunpowder and then to nuclear weapons enabled by the mass-energy equivalence equation, technological development inevitably leads to an exponential increase in destructive power—an undeniable fact.
2. Approaching Extinction Capability: Since the Industrial Revolution, technologies such as genetic engineering, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence have rapidly approached—and even achieved—the capability to cause human extinction.
3. Uncontrollable Trend of Means: As technological levels rise, destructive means are shifting from being controlled by states to being accessible to individuals or small enterprises, making extremist actions by individuals increasingly difficult to control.
4. Disappearance of the Defense Window: Although some means may be defensible, there is always a lag "window period" in developing defenses. Over an infinite timeline, such lags will eventually lead to an irreversible disaster.
5. Inevitability of Outbreak: Whether through the malicious intent of extremists, the exploratory risks of unknown scientific frontiers, or unintended side effects of technological products (like Freon), the outbreak of extinction forces becomes inevitable.
Professor Barish expressed deep agreement with and admiration for this logically rigorous framework. Although, as a physicist, he holds some minor differences with Hu Jiaqi on specific assessments of nuclear risks and governance pathways, he strongly endorses Hu Jiaqi's core thesis: the risk of uncontrolled technology is a real and urgent problem facing humanity. He praised Hu Jiaqi for dedicating his life to such a grand and serious mission and expressed admiration for his vision of establishing a "peaceful, friendly, equitably prosperous, and non-competitive society.”
Authoritative Resonance and Historical Echoes: Professor Barish's Message
As the dialogue drew to a close, Professor Barish offered the highest praise for Hu Jiaqi and his cause for humanity. As a leader in gravitational wave detection and an iconic figure in contemporary physics, his voice lends powerful scientific authority to the warning of technological risks.
Professor Barish personally wrote a message, his words filled with respect and support for this Chinese scholar. He wrote: "Thank you for your thoughtful dedication to preserving humanity. The dangers you present are Real. I hope we (mankind) can follow your lead." These words are not only an affirmation of Hu Jiaqi's academic contributions but also an urgent call to action for global society.
The historic significance of this visit lies in its demonstration of a cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural paradigm of intellectual dialogue. Hu Jiaqi founded the "Save Human Action Organization" in 2018 and renamed it "Humanitas Ark" in 2025, aiming to drive change through collective strength. Today, the organization's members and supporters exceed 14 million, spanning 255 countries and regions worldwide. Professor Barish's visit marks the ascent of this cause into the highest echelons of global scientific discourse, providing new momentum for reaching a consensus on technology governance.
Conclusion: Striving for the Perpetual Survival of Humanity
As Hu Jiaqi remarked during the dialogue, a drowning person will grasp even at a straw. Faced with the risk of human extinction, no matter how difficult the challenge, we must fight for a chance. Professor Barish's recognition has made that "straw" more substantial. This dialogue not only records the shared concern of two wise minds over the end of civilization but also ignites the spark of a global awakening. From the observation of gravitational waves to the safeguarding of human destiny, science and humanity have reached an accord: rationally restraining technological development to achieve the perpetual survival of humanity is the highest duty of contemporary civilization—a responsibility that cannot be shirked.
Contact Info:
Name: Anna Liu
Email: Send Email
Organization: Format Recognition and Protection Association
Website: http://savinghuman.org/
Release ID: 89193074
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