Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air Yuval Noah Harari on ‘Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI’
Oct 5, 2024
Historian and author Yuval Noah Harari shares insights on information networks from the Stone Age to AI. He discusses how the evolution of the printing press altered the dissemination of truth and belief, impacting public discourse. The conversation dives into the dangers and benefits of AI, questioning its ethical implications and ability to develop a moral compass. Harari also highlights the manipulation of information in conflicts, emphasizing storytelling's role in shaping human behavior and the need for trust in institutions amid today's misinformation.
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Information as Connection
- Information's value lies in its ability to connect people, forming networks.
- It acts as a glue, creating states, armies, corporations, and religions, sometimes through fiction.
The Face of Jesus
- The most famous image of Jesus, replicated billions of times, isn't accurate.
- No portrait exists from his lifetime, highlighting how fiction can powerfully connect people.
Intersubjective Information
- Intersubjective information exists within communication networks.
- Believing and discussing it, even if untrue, strengthens its power to connect.