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Burning Man is a hot and dusty ball-ache to get there and live there, but despite the snark, disillusionment and temptation to dismiss, it remains a Big Ass Novelty Engine of Epic Proportions.That's why we're going, for the sheer anthropological spectacle of it all. If any Grace descends upon our friends and family, all the better. [Photo by John Chandler]

Given the utterly baffling fact that even in the developed world only half of pregnancies are on purpose, (#sprayandpray) you could say we're increasingly obliged to take a look at human reproduction and see if we can reduce harm for current and future humanity.

This is a super thorny one. May take a minute or two to unravel. But as far as "third rail" topics––the ones that no one will touch with a ninety-nine and a half foot pole––Eugenics (AKA population control) ranks right up there with trans rights, slavery reparations and whether or not it's still OK to watch Annie Hall.But touch it we must, as it has everything to do with our future odds of thriving and surviving.

Just wrapped a three day conference here in Austin that was ostensibly focused on existential risk, systems theory, and human development. A bunch of well-meaning folks convened from all around the world, to try and save it. And boy howdy! I've never experienced a bigger disconnect from the actual stakes and the conversations to be had, in my entire life.