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The Tim Ferriss Show

#477: Yuval Noah Harari on The Story of Sapiens, Forging the Skill of Awareness, and The Power of Disguised Books

Oct 28, 2020
In this engaging discussion, Yuval Noah Harari, a renowned historian and bestselling author, delves into the transformative power of meditation and its role in enhancing focus. He recounts the fascinating journey of writing 'Sapiens' and its broader societal implications. Harari also examines money as a system of trust and addresses existential threats facing humanity today. Through a captivating exploration of fiction as a vehicle for philosophical thought, he underscores the importance of narratives in understanding our complex world.
01:45:17

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Money is a universal system of trust that has evolved from objective value to digital data, and understanding its role is key to understanding its impact on society.
  • Detachment allows for a broader perspective and deeper understanding of the world, enabling valuable insights.

Deep dives

Recognizing the power of trust and money

Money is seen as a universal system of trust, enabling large-scale cooperation. It has evolved from being backed by something of objective value, like grain, to digital data passed between computers. Understanding the role of money as trust is key to appreciating its impact on society. Additionally, the author emphasizes the importance of detachment, acknowledging that detachment allows for a broader perspective on situations and events. This enables a deeper understanding of the world and the ability to offer valuable insights to others.

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