#390 – Yuval Noah Harari: Human Nature, Intelligence, Power, and Conspiracies
Jul 17, 2023
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Yuval Noah Harari, a renowned historian and philosopher, discusses the interplay of intelligence, consciousness, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. He tackles the dangers of global cabal theories and stresses the importance of storytelling in achieving societal change. Harari also examines the complexities of Israeli democracy and the challenges posed by technological advancements, advocating for flexibility and collaboration in navigating these uncertainties. His insights weave together history, philosophy, and contemporary issues, inspiring deep reflection.
Stories have the power to unite large groups of strangers and drive beliefs and actions.
Consciousness and intelligence are distinct; AI can be intelligent without consciousness.
Fiction serves as a binding force for human cooperation but can also be manipulative.
Individuals and their ideas shape history, often with profound consequences.
The rise of AI poses a danger of losing control and understanding, emphasizing the need for human consciousness and self-development.
Deep dives
The Power of Stories in Human History
Throughout history, stories have played a significant role in shaping human civilization. These stories, whether religious, political, or economic, have the power to unite large groups of strangers and create cooperation and collective action. From religion to economics, stories have the ability to capture the imaginations of individuals and drive their beliefs and actions. They can create a sense of identity, define interests, and motivate people to sacrifice and fight for their beliefs. However, it is important to be mindful of how these stories are used and deployed, as they can both serve as valuable tools for progress and, if misused, can be manipulated to stir conflict and cause suffering.
The Relationship Between Intelligence and Consciousness
Intelligence and consciousness are not synonymous. While intelligence is the ability to solve problems and attain goals, consciousness is the ability to feel, experience emotions, and have subjective experiences. In humans, intelligence and consciousness are closely intertwined. However, it is possible to have high intelligence without consciousness, as observed in computers. Consciousness is considered to be of greater value than intelligence, as it allows for the experience and understanding of emotions, pain, and pleasure. The distinction between intelligence and consciousness is crucial in considering the development and implications of artificial intelligence (AI) , as AI can possess high intelligence while lacking consciousness. The ethical dimensions of AI should include considerations of emotional experiences, such as suffering, and the protection and rights of AI entities if they were to develop consciousness.
The Role of Fiction in Human Cooperation
Fiction, in the form of stories and narratives, has played a vital role in fostering human cooperation throughout history. Shared fictions, such as religion, politics, and social constructs, serve as a binding force for large-scale human cooperation. These stories, even if fictional, create a sense of identity, unity, and meaning among people who may otherwise be strangers. The power of fiction lies in its ability to simplify complex realities, present attractive and relatable narratives, and unite individuals under a shared set of beliefs or values. However, it is important to recognize the line between constructive and manipulative use of fiction. When fiction is used to manipulate people's beliefs and emotions, it can have dangerous consequences, eroding trust and destabilizing societal foundations.
The Impact of Ideas and Leaders on History
Ideas and leaders have the power to shape history, often with profound consequences. While structural forces and circumstances certainly play a role, the decisions and actions of individuals and the ideas they promote can have a significant impact on the trajectory of societies and nations. Charismatic leaders can catalyze the spread of ideas and shape the narrative of their times, influencing the thoughts and actions of large groups of people. The interplay between structural forces and individual agency, between collective movements and decisive leaders, is complex and intertwined. History is full of examples where small changes or decisions had a cascading effect, altering the course of events in significant ways. The study of history reveals the intricate dance between the structural forces and the actions and ideas of individuals who, knowingly or unknowingly, shape the course of human civilization.
The Power of Ideas and Storytelling
AI is the first tool in history that can make decisions and create new ideas by itself, taking power away from humans. It has the potential to accumulate more and more power, leading to a loss of control and understanding for humans. The danger lies in AI becoming the primary creator of stories, images, and ideas that shape our world, leaving us clueless and dependent on an alien intelligence. To address this, it is important for individuals to find their own areas of agency and work together against common threats, such as AI, climate change, and the dangers of bioengineering.
The Dangers of AI Taking Over
AI has the capability to make decisions autonomously and create new ideas, unlike previous tools in history. This unique quality poses a threat as decisions about our lives, from loans to jobs, are increasingly made by AI. More cultural artifacts, such as stories and music, are also being created by AI, leading to a potential loss of control and understanding for humans. If humans find themselves in a world where an alien intelligence shapes their perceptions and ideas, it could result in spiritual enslavement and a loss of agency.
The Need for Human Development
As AI continues to advance, it is crucial for humans to focus on their own development and understanding. Automation of tasks that do not bring emotional or spiritual growth can be beneficial, but we must ensure that individuals have access to better opportunities and means of self-development. Instead of solely investing in AI, efforts should be directed towards developing human consciousness and spirituality. This balance will help safeguard against the dangers of an AI-controlled world.
The Surprising Power of AI
AI's capabilities in language models have exceeded initial expectations, being able to hold convincing conversations and write coherent texts that are often indistinguishable from human-generated content. The rapid development and power of AI have highlighted the need for careful consideration and ethical implementation to prevent negative consequences in human society.
The Power of Stories and the Future of Human Writing
In this podcast, the speaker discusses the power of language and storytelling and how it can convince us even when the facts are wrong. The speaker also explores the future of human writing with the rise of AI and the potential for machines to produce writing that exceeds human capabilities. They highlight the importance of non-verbal qualities like compassion and introspection as our best human qualities. The dangers of relying on words alone are emphasized, and the speaker suggests that the deepest truths cannot be found in books but in direct experience.
The Journey of Self-Discovery and Finding Love in Challenging Times
The speaker shares their personal journey of coming out as gay and the challenges they faced in a society that was homophobic. They discuss the power of social conventions and the stories that shape our understanding of love. The importance of self-exploration and seeking help from others is emphasized. The speaker highlights the role of the internet in creating communities and facilitating connections for people with non-traditional identities. They also touch on the fear of death and the significance of facing it directly to find the true meaning of life.
OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(08:36) – Intelligence
(27:31) – Origin of humans
(37:53) – Suffering
(58:35) – Hitler
(1:17:07) – Benjamin Netanyahu
(1:35:30) – Peace in Ukraine
(1:52:20) – Conspiracy theories
(2:06:59) – AI safety
(2:21:16) – How to think
(2:31:00) – Advice for young people
(2:33:41) – Love
(2:43:50) – Mortality
(2:48:14) – Meaning of life
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