Any existential risk angles to the US presidential election?

Stuart_Armstrong

Don't let your minds be killed, but I was wondering if there were any existential risk angles to the coming American election (if there isn't, then I'll simply retreat to raw, enjoyable and empty tribalism).

I can see three (quite tenuous) angles:

Obama seems more likely to attempt to get some sort of global warming agreement. While not directly related to Xrisks per se, this would lead to better global coordination and agreement, which improves the outlook for a lot of other Xrisks. However, pretty unlikely to succeed.
I have a mental image that Republicans would be more likely to invest in space exploration. This is a lot due to Newt Gingrich, I have to admit, and to the closeness between civilian and military space projects, the last of which are more likely to get boosts in Republican governments.
If we are holding out for increased population rationality as being a helping factor for some Xrisks, then the fact the the Republicans have gone so strongly anti-science is certainly a bad sign. But on the other hand, its not clear whether them winning or losing the election is more likely to improve the general environment for science among their supporters.

But these all seem weak factors. So, less wronger, let me know: are the things I should care about in the election, or can I just lie back and enjoy it as a piece of interesting theatre?

I can see three (quite tenuous) angles:

Obama seems more likely to attempt to get some sort of global warming agreement. While not directly related to Xrisks per se, this would lead to better global coordination and agreement, which improves the outlook for a lot of other Xrisks. However, pretty unlikely to succeed.
I have a mental image that Republicans would be more likely to invest in space exploration. This is a lot due to Newt Gingrich, I have to admit, and to the closeness between civilian and military space projects, the last of which are more likely to get boosts in Republican governments.
If we are holding out for increased population rationality as being a helping factor for some Xrisks, then the fact the the Republicans have gone so strongly anti-science is certainly a bad sign. But on the other hand, its not clear whether them winning or losing the election is more likely to improve the general environment for science among their supporters.

But these all seem weak factors. So, less wronger, let me know: are the things I should care about in the election, or can I just lie back and enjoy it as a piece of interesting theatre?

I've seen Chuck Norris do it, I've seen Glenn Beck do it. I'm sure there are others

All the celebrities fantasizing about killing Bush.

His Caliphate theory predicts that hardcore socialists and communists will work together with Muslims to overthrow Israel, capitalism, The West, and any other stable countries.

Well, to a large extent hardcore socialists and communists are working together with Islamists.

I asked if you were joking because I was surprised to find a Glenn Beck apologist in one of the most rational forums on the internet

The fact that you were surprised to find a Tea Party supporter here is precisely why I wondered whether you've had any previous experience with people who aren't on the left.

My assumption was that you are in the same position.

Given how dominant the left is at universities this a much less likely statement.

All the celebrities fantasizing about killing Bush.

I count a professed desire to assassinate Bush as a mark against the sanity of whoever professed it, too. More people doing it doesn't make it saner.

The fact that you were surprised to find a Tea Party supporter here is precisely why I wondered whether you've had any previous experience with people who aren't on the left.

It is my experience with people who aren't on the left that made me surprised. I don't know if you're aware of this, but you will struggle to find people outside the US (from eith... (read more)

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Any existential risk angles to the US presidential election?

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Any existential risk angles to the US presidential election?

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