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Gigayear Problems

Dec 23, 2025Updated: Jan 26, 2025
Gigayear: one billion years
My father coined the term gigayear to characterize problems that, if solved, win humanity one billion years of additional life.
As a first filter for deciding what long-term problems to commit myself to, I always consider whether the best possible outcome would generate a gigayear. This is not just a dream; for me, it's nothing short of an obligation.

Gigayear Impacts in History

  1. Alexander Fleming, the inventor of penicillin
  2. Norman Borlaug, the father of the Green Revolution
  3. Edward Jenner, pioneer of the smallpox vaccine
  4. John Jumper, creator of AlphaFold
Any many more here.
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Trying to make everything you do a gigayear pursuit is missing the point (connect the dots looking backwards). However, mentally committing to a gigayear as a life philosophy, central motive, and real possibility enriches my journey with some greater purpose.