Entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist Carl Feinberg thinks a lot about high energy particle physics and about the existential threats that could end the world. Although he built his fortune developing software for global markets, his fascination with physics and science has given him both a deep appreciation for fundamental research and a vivid appreciation of the Earth’s and civilization’s vulnerabilities.
“Disasters are inevitable,” said Feinberg. “For example, I’m concerned a flood, or solar flare could take out the electric grid in a whole region. There are so many things that could go catastrophically wrong. Pandemics, AI run amok, nuclear confrontations, and climate change for which we’re just getting a sneak preview,” said Feinberg. He believes supporting science is one of the best lines of defense. “Academic luminaries are often brilliant, some almost magically so,” said Feinberg. And it was his deep respect for his friend Lord Professor Martin Rees, one of Cambridge’s most distinguished scientists and the Astronomer Royal, that introduced Feinberg to the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER), which Lord Rees co-founded ten years ago. Feinberg’s appreciation for Rees and for CSER’s focus on understanding, predicting, and mitigating global threats led him to want to support the Centre’s work.
“I’ve become increasingly concerned about the risks to civilization, and here was an opportunity to deal with it, however modestly. I was glad to be in a position to nurture the discipline in the hope (and expectation) it will have an impact,” said Feinberg. He began discussions with former CSER Director Professor Matt Connelly, and Lord Rees about the best way to support CSER. This resulted in conversations with Cambridge in America (CAm) and Sean Moriarty, CAm’s Senior Director of Development, that ultimately led to establishing the Rees Feinberg Professor of Global Risk within CSER with a multi-million-dollar endowment.
“I hope [the gift] will enable CSER to continue what it’s doing and maybe even expand its scope somewhat. It’s crucially important, and I want, to the extent that I can with funding, to amplify CSER’s capabilities and impact,” said Feinberg.
“This donation is so important because it’s a step towards establishing CSER as a permanent feature of the University,” said Rees. “There are only a few places in the world which are doing this sort of thing. The risks are getting larger all the time.”
Professor S.M. Amadae, a renowned political scientist at the University of Helsinki, with a research focus on nuclear war and security, climate change and collective action, and AI’s impact on humanity’s ability to govern catastrophic risks, joined CSER as Director in March. She sees Feinberg’s gift of an endowed professorship as a turning point for CSER. “This gift will allow us to gain additional momentum. It’s a moment, it’s a springboard. It’s a foundational gift but it’s also a moment at which we can accelerate, generating support at that level matching Carl Feinberg’s generosity,” said Amadae.
“Carl’s gift to CAm in support of CSER is a testament to his immense generosity and the critical work of CSER. Carl is the latest example of how US-based donors are supporting the ground-breaking research throughout Collegiate Cambridge," said Moriarty.
Feinberg said making this gift in support of CSER has fulfilled a deep wish to make a lasting difference and aligns with his giving priorities. “The theme of my philanthropy has consistently been investments in civilization,” said Feinberg. “I support theoretical physics to advance civilization and support CSER to help preserve it. My intent and hope are CSER will further recognition of existential threats and make provisions to create some degree of resiliency. We have to prepare because the world is ill-equipped to deal with these threats right now.”
To find our more about CSER and how you can support this important work, please contact Sean P Moriarty at Cambridge in America: sean@cantab.org or 212.984.0976.