664A. Robin Hanson, Are We Being Controlled?

Could our planet be under the quiet watch of an alien civilization that's a million years ahead of us? In this fascinating conversation, economist and futurist Robin D. Hanson explores a bold and thought-provoking theory: that Earth might be subtly monitored by highly advanced extraterrestrials—perhaps as caretakers, silent observers, or participants in a vast, ancient experiment. Hanson, author of The Age of Em and co-originator of the "Great Filter" hypothesis, brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective, blending economics, evolutionary theory, and speculative futurism. We dive into the possibility that humanity may not be alone in its evolutionary journey—and that we might even share a distant, hidden past with these alien watchers. SHOW NOTES