AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
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.
01:29:53
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Information serves as a means of connection among individuals, shaped by shared beliefs rather than mere factual accuracy.
- Bureaucracy's role in regulating information highlights its dual nature, exemplifying both the potential for social order and authoritarianism.
Deep dives
The Connection Defines Information
Information is fundamentally about connection rather than truth, as emphasized in the discussion about how it binds individuals into networks. The concept of information extends beyond mere facts or raw data; it often involves fiction, illusions, and perceptions that can unify people under shared beliefs or identities. For instance, the depiction of historical figures, such as Jesus, is based on interpretations and imaginings rather than verifiable truths, showcasing how mass-produced imagery can forge deep connections across cultures despite lacking authenticity. This underlines the importance of understanding information as a mechanism for connection, rather than a direct representation of reality.
Get the Snipd
podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any
moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share
& Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode