Stories can challenge widely held beliefs and have a profound impact on individuals and society.
The collapse of global institutions could lead to dire consequences for humanity if not properly maintained and strengthened.
Deep dives
The Success of Yuval Noah Harari's Book Sapiens
Yuval Noah Harari, the author of the book "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind", discusses the unexpected success of his book. Originally written and published in Hebrew, it gained immense popularity and sold over 23 million copies in 65 languages. Harari reflects on the reasons behind the book's powerful and compelling ideas, which challenge conventional narratives of human history.
The Power of Stories
Harari emphasizes the significance of storytelling in shaping human understanding and perception. He highlights how stories, such as the concept of money being a social construct, can challenge widely held beliefs and have a profound impact on individuals and society. Harari also explores the idea that humans are storytelling animals, thinking and perceiving the world through narratives.
The Agricultural Revolution and Its Impacts
Harari discusses the agricultural revolution, hailing it as history's biggest fraud. He highlights the hardships faced by ordinary farmers, including increased physical labor, limited diets, and susceptibility to diseases. Despite advancements in agricultural practices, Harari argues that the lives of hunter-gatherers were often better in terms of health and overall well-being.
The Future of Humanity and the Importance of Institutions
Harari contemplates the future of humanity, expressing concerns about the potential destruction caused by nuclear catastrophes or the misguided use of bioengineering and artificial intelligence to alter human qualities. He stresses the importance of maintaining and strengthening global institutions for addressing challenges such as pandemics, wars, and famine. Harari asserts that without proper care and vigilance, the collapse of institutions could lead to dire consequences for humanity.
In this special episode of People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt talks to the best-selling author of Sapiens and Homo Deus about finding the profound in the obvious.
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