Scott Robbins on Cosmos Institute

Thank you for this thoughtful piece. The case for self-direction as a central human good is compelling—especially in an age when so many of our choices are quietly shaped by large-scale institutional actors. That said, I find myself wanting to pair autonomy with compassion as a co-equal value, especially given the increasingly interdependent nature of our planetary systems. From a Buddhist lens, self-realization without a corresponding deepening of care for others risks becoming another form of delusion. I’m intrigued by what might emerge if we rethink autonomy not as isolation or self-sovereignty, but as the cultivated ability to act wisely and compassionately within a manipulated decision landscape. Looking forward to future explorations—thank you again for stirring the waters so thoughtfully. Here's a piece I recently posted that presents the core challenge for our species as a race between two singularities: https://aspenunderground.substack.com/p/a-race-between-two-singularities