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{{Infobox Magic: The Gathering Player
{{Infobox Magic: The Gathering Player
| name = Zvi Mowshowitz
| name = Zvi Mowshowitz
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| caption =Zvi Mowshowitz playing poker at the Manifold conference in 2023
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'''Zvi Mowshowitz''' is an American writer specializing in [[artificial intelligence]]. He is a former competitive [[Magic: The Gathering]] player, and was CEO of [[MetaMed]], a defunct medical research analysis firm.
'''Zvi Mowshowitz''' is a former professional [[Magic: The Gathering]] player who also held a developer intern position at Wizards of the Coast Magic R&D. He is known for having created innovative and sometimes game-breaking decks TurboZvi and My Fires. His first-place finishes include a Pro Tour and a Grand Prix. He has placed in the top eight of four Pro Tours, and earned over $140,000 playing Magic competitively.<ref name = "HoFprofile">{{Cite web| title = Magic Pro Tour Hall of Fame Profiles – Zvi Mowshowitz | publisher = [[Wizards of the Coast]] | year = 2007 | access-date = 20 April 2009 | url = http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/HallOfFame.aspx?x=mtgevent/hofplayer/zmowshowitz| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081203232808/http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/HallOfFame.aspx?x=mtgevent/hofplayer/zmowshowitz| url-status = dead| archive-date = 3 December 2008}}</ref> In 2007, Mowshowitz was elected into the [[Magic: The Gathering Hall of Fame|Magic Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/daily/bd296 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070909152020/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/daily/bd296 |url-status = dead |archive-date = 9 September 2007 |title = The Class of 2007 |publisher = Wizards of the Coast |date= 7 September 2007 |access-date = 9 September 2007}}</ref>


==Career==
Mowshowitz is also an avid internet writer, previously with ''The Dojo'', ''Mindripper'', ''Brainburst'', ''StarCityGames'', and then for the official Magic website MagicTheGathering.com.<ref name = "HoFprofile"/> In April 2006, he stopped writing for MagicTheGathering.com.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}


Mowshowitz was the CEO of [[MetaMed]], a medical research analysis firm.<ref name="metamed">{{Cite web|url=http://metamed.com/our-scientists-doctors-researchers |title=Our Scientists, Doctors & Researchers |access-date=1 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505001717/http://www.metamed.com/our-scientists-doctors-researchers |archive-date=5 May 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=A kind of 'Magic': One nerd's quest to shake up video games and create a $1 billion market|url=https://fortune.com/longform/emergents-card-game-zvi-mowshowitz-magic/|access-date=2021-07-10|website=Fortune|language=en}}</ref>
Mowshowitz was the CEO of [[MetaMed]], a medical research analysis firm.<ref name="metamed">{{Cite web |title=Our Scientists, Doctors & Researchers |url=http://metamed.com/our-scientists-doctors-researchers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505001717/http://www.metamed.com/our-scientists-doctors-researchers |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=1 March 2013 |website=MetaMed}}</ref> After that, he worked at [[Jane Street Capital]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://thezvi.substack.com/p/ai-72-denying-the-future | title=AI #72: Denying the Future | date=11 July 2024 }}</ref> He also attempted to launch an online [[trading card game]], ''Emergents''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hackett |first1=Robert |last2=Roberts |first2=Jeff John |date=13 June 2020 |title=Emergents: Zvi Mowshowitz's quest to shake up the video game business |url=https://fortune.com/longform/emergents-card-game-zvi-mowshowitz-magic/ |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924224931/https://fortune.com/longform/emergents-card-game-zvi-mowshowitz-magic/ |archive-date=24 Sep 2020 |access-date=25 October 2023 |work=Fortune}}</ref>


===Magic: The Gathering===
Recently he has moved to analysis of a number of areas from the [[LessWrong|rationalist]] perspective, notably AI safety.<ref>https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/LLRtjkvh9AackwuNB/on-a-list-of-lethalities</ref>


Mowshowitz held a developer intern position at Wizards of the Coast Magic R&D.{{citation needed |date=April 2024}}
Mowshowitz is the son of American biochemist [[Deborah Mowshowitz]].

Mowshowitz is known for having created innovative and sometimes game-breaking decks TurboZvi and My Fires. His first-place finishes include a Pro Tour and a Grand Prix. He has placed in the top eight of four Pro Tours, and earned over $140,000 playing Magic competitively.<ref name = "HoFprofile">{{Cite web| title = Magic Pro Tour Hall of Fame Profiles – Zvi Mowshowitz | publisher = [[Wizards of the Coast]] | year = 2007 | access-date = 20 April 2009 | url = http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/HallOfFame.aspx?x=mtgevent/hofplayer/zmowshowitz| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081203232808/http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/HallOfFame.aspx?x=mtgevent/hofplayer/zmowshowitz| url-status = dead| archive-date = 3 December 2008}}</ref> In 2007, Mowshowitz was elected into the [[Magic: The Gathering Hall of Fame|Magic Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/daily/bd296 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070909152020/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=mtgcom/daily/bd296 |url-status = dead |archive-date = 9 September 2007 |title = The Class of 2007 |publisher = Wizards of the Coast |date= 7 September 2007 |access-date = 9 September 2007}}</ref>


Mowshowitz was also an avid internet writer on gaming, previously with ''The Dojo'', ''Mindripper'', ''Brainburst'', ''StarCityGames'', and then for the official Magic website MagicTheGathering.com.<ref name = "HoFprofile"/> In April 2006, he stopped writing for MagicTheGathering.com.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}
Mowshowitz is an alumnus of Columbia University and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LinkedIn Profile|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/zvi-mowshowitz-27764419/|access-date=October 20, 2020|website=LinkedIn}}</ref><ref>https://futuratipodcast.com/should-we-halt-progress-in-ai-zvi-mowshowitz/</ref> and is a judge on the AI alignment forum prize.<ref>https://www.alignmentforum.org/posts/nDHbgjdddG5EN6ocg/announcement-ai-alignment-prize-round-4-winners</ref>


==Top 8 appearances==
====Top 8 appearances====
{{MTG pth header}}
{{MTG pth header}}
{{MTG pth event
{{MTG pth event
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}}
}}


===Other accomplishments===
====Other accomplishments====
* [[Magic: The Gathering Hall of Fame|Magic Hall of Fame]] class of 2007
* [[Magic: The Gathering Hall of Fame|Magic Hall of Fame]] class of 2007


==References==
=== Writing ===
Since then has focused more on writing on [[Substack]], [[LessWrong]] and his blog, all under the name "Don't Worry about the Vase". He focusses on variety of topics, but primarily on [[Artificial intelligence]], [[Economics]] and the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], when the pandemic was ongoing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mowshowitz |first=Zvi |date=2023-12-13 |title=The Best of Don't Worry About the Vase |url=https://thezvi.substack.com/p/the-best-of-dont-worry-about-the |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Don't Worry About the Vase}}</ref> As part of this work he also founded Balsa Research, a nonprofit think tank which focuses on the repeal of the [[Jones Act]], increasing the housing supply and reform of the [[National Environmental Policy Act]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=FAQ |url=https://www.balsaresearch.com/faq |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Balsa Research |language=en-US}}</ref>
{{Reflist}}

==Personal life==

Mowshowitz is the son of American biochemist [[Deborah Mowshowitz]].

Mowshowitz is an alumnus of Columbia University and holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LinkedIn Profile|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/zvi-mowshowitz-27764419/|access-date=October 20, 2020|website=LinkedIn}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://futuratipodcast.com/should-we-halt-progress-in-ai-zvi-mowshowitz/ | title=Should we halt progress in AI? Reflections on our interview with Zvi Mowshowitz | date=16 May 2023 }}</ref>


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* {{Cite book| author=Kushner, David | title=Jonny Magic and the Card Shark Kids : how a gang of geeks beat the odds and stormed Las Vegas | publisher=Random House | year=2005 | isbn=1-4000-6407-4}}
* {{Cite book| author=Kushner, David | title=Jonny Magic and the Card Shark Kids : how a gang of geeks beat the odds and stormed Las Vegas | publisher=Random House | year=2005 | isbn=1-4000-6407-4}}
* [https://fortune.com/longform/emergents-card-game-zvi-mowshowitz-magic/ A kind of ‘Magic’: One nerd’s quest to shake up video games and create a $1 billion market] (Fortune, 2020)


==External links==
==External links==
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{{Succession box| title=[[Magic: The Gathering World Championship|Magic: The Gathering Team World Champion]]<br><small>With: <br>John Hunka<br>Kyle Rose<br>Charles Kornblith</small>| before={{Flag icon|USA}} [[United States]]<br><small>Matt Linde<br> [[Mike Long]]<br> Bryce Currence<br> [[Jon Finkel]]</small> | years=1999| after={{Flag icon|USA}} [[United States]]<br><small>[[Jon Finkel]]<br>Chris Benafel<br>Frank Hernandez<br>Aaron Forsythe</small>}}
{{Succession box| title=[[Magic: The Gathering World Championship|Magic: The Gathering Team World Champion]]<br><small>With: <br>John Hunka<br>Kyle Rose<br>Charles Kornblith</small>| before={{Flag icon|USA}} [[United States]]<br><small>Matt Linde<br> [[Mike Long]]<br> Bryce Currence<br> [[Jon Finkel]]</small> | years=1999| after={{Flag icon|USA}} [[United States]]<br><small>[[Jon Finkel]]<br>Chris Benafel<br>Frank Hernandez<br>Aaron Forsythe</small>}}
{{S-end}}
{{S-end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}


{{LessWrong}}
{{LessWrong}}
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[[Category:Columbia College (New York) alumni]]
[[Category:Columbia College (New York) alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]
[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]
[[Category:Jane Street Capital people]]
[[Category:Artificial intelligence ethicists]]

Latest revision as of 19:42, 8 November 2024

Zvi Mowshowitz
Zvi Mowshowitz playing poker at the Manifold conference in 2023
Born (1979-01-08) 8 January 1979 (age 45)
ResidenceNew York, NY, USA
NationalityUnited States American
Pro Tour debut1998 Pro Tour Los Angeles
WinningsUS$ 147,010[1]
Pro Tour wins (Top 8)1 (4)[2]
Grand Prix wins (Top 8)2 (9)[3]
Lifetime Pro Points261[4]
Planeswalker Level47 (Archmage)

Zvi Mowshowitz is an American writer specializing in artificial intelligence. He is a former competitive Magic: The Gathering player, and was CEO of MetaMed, a defunct medical research analysis firm.

Career

[edit]

Mowshowitz was the CEO of MetaMed, a medical research analysis firm.[5] After that, he worked at Jane Street Capital.[6] He also attempted to launch an online trading card game, Emergents.[7]

Magic: The Gathering

[edit]

Mowshowitz held a developer intern position at Wizards of the Coast Magic R&D.[citation needed]

Mowshowitz is known for having created innovative and sometimes game-breaking decks TurboZvi and My Fires. His first-place finishes include a Pro Tour and a Grand Prix. He has placed in the top eight of four Pro Tours, and earned over $140,000 playing Magic competitively.[8] In 2007, Mowshowitz was elected into the Magic Hall of Fame.[9]

Mowshowitz was also an avid internet writer on gaming, previously with The Dojo, Mindripper, Brainburst, StarCityGames, and then for the official Magic website MagicTheGathering.com.[8] In April 2006, he stopped writing for MagicTheGathering.com.[citation needed]

Top 8 appearances

[edit]
 Season   Event type   Location  Format Date  Rank 
1998–99 Grand Prix Boston Block Constructed 5–6 September 1998 4
1998–99 Pro Tour New York Block Constructed 30 April–2 May 1999 3
1998–99 Grand Prix Washington D.C. Limited 19–20 June 1999 4
1998–99 Nationals Special 2–4 July 1999 4
1998–99 Worlds Yokohama National team 4–8 August 1999 1
1999–00 Invitational Kuala Lumpur Special 2–5 March 2000 3
2000–01 Grand Prix Manchester Limited 7–8 October 2000 8
2000–01 Pro Tour Chicago Standard 1–3 December 2000 7
2000–01 Pro Tour Tokyo Block Constructed 16–18 March 2001 1
2000–01 Masters Barcelona Booster Draft 1–4 May 2001 4
2001–02 Masters New Orleans Booster Draft 31 October–3 November 2001 5
2001–02 Masters Osaka Team Limited 14–17 March 2002 5
2001–02 Grand Prix New Jersey Team Limited 29–30 June 2002 2
2002–03 Grand Prix New Orleans Extended 3–4 January 2003 1
2002–03 Grand Prix Boston Limited 22–23 February 2003 7
2002–03 Masters Yokohama Booster Draft 8–11 May 2003 5
2002–03 Grand Prix Pittsburgh Team Limited 31 May–1 June 2003 1
2003–04 Grand Prix Atlanta Standard 29–30 August 2003 5
2003–04 Invitational Los Angeles Special 11–13 May 2004 4
2012–13 Grand Prix Portland Modern 11–12 May 2013 3

Last updated: 12 May 2013
Source: Wizards.com

Other accomplishments

[edit]

Writing

[edit]

Since then has focused more on writing on Substack, LessWrong and his blog, all under the name "Don't Worry about the Vase". He focusses on variety of topics, but primarily on Artificial intelligence, Economics and the COVID-19 pandemic, when the pandemic was ongoing.[10] As part of this work he also founded Balsa Research, a nonprofit think tank which focuses on the repeal of the Jones Act, increasing the housing supply and reform of the National Environmental Policy Act.[11]

Personal life

[edit]

Mowshowitz is the son of American biochemist Deborah Mowshowitz.

Mowshowitz is an alumnus of Columbia University and holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics.[12][13]

Further reading

[edit]
  • Kushner, David (2005). Jonny Magic and the Card Shark Kids : how a gang of geeks beat the odds and stormed Las Vegas. Random House. ISBN 1-4000-6407-4.
[edit]
Preceded by
United States United States
Matt Linde
Mike Long
Bryce Currence
Jon Finkel
Magic: The Gathering Team World Champion
With:
John Hunka
Kyle Rose
Charles Kornblith

1999
Succeeded by
United States United States
Jon Finkel
Chris Benafel
Frank Hernandez
Aaron Forsythe

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Top 200 All-Time Money Leaders". Wizards of the Coast. 2 October 2014. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  2. ^ "Lifetime Pro Tour Top 8s". Archived from the original on 14 March 2006. Retrieved 7 December 2007.
  3. ^ "Lifetime Grand Prix Top 8s". Archived from the original on 17 January 2006. Retrieved 7 December 2007.
  4. ^ "Lifetime Pro Points". Archived from the original on 18 December 2005. Retrieved 7 December 2007.
  5. ^ "Our Scientists, Doctors & Researchers". MetaMed. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  6. ^ "AI #72: Denying the Future". 11 July 2024.
  7. ^ Hackett, Robert; Roberts, Jeff John (13 June 2020). "Emergents: Zvi Mowshowitz's quest to shake up the video game business". Fortune. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Magic Pro Tour Hall of Fame Profiles – Zvi Mowshowitz". Wizards of the Coast. 2007. Archived from the original on 3 December 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2009.
  9. ^ "The Class of 2007". Wizards of the Coast. 7 September 2007. Archived from the original on 9 September 2007. Retrieved 9 September 2007.
  10. ^ Mowshowitz, Zvi (13 December 2023). "The Best of Don't Worry About the Vase". Don't Worry About the Vase. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  11. ^ "FAQ". Balsa Research. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  12. ^ "LinkedIn Profile". LinkedIn. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Should we halt progress in AI? Reflections on our interview with Zvi Mowshowitz". 16 May 2023.