In this engaging conversation, historian Yuval Noah Harari, author of Sapiens and Homo Deus, discusses his new children's book, Unstoppable Us. He explores how technology will shape humanity's future and asserts that we still hold the reins of our destiny amid global crises. Harari critiques the expected reset post-COVID-19 and examines the storytelling legacy that guides human learning. He also dives into the impact of pandemics on society and emphasizes the need for accountability in the face of technological manipulation and environmental challenges.
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insights INSIGHT
Human Gullibility
Humans are not necessarily smarter or nicer than other animals, but they are more gullible.
Human gullibility stems from believing nonsense, forming the basis of cooperation and power.
insights INSIGHT
The Power of Fiction
Fiction is the basis for cooperation, and humans' belief in it, even nonsensical stories, is a source of their power.
This belief can lead to negative consequences, such as the ecological crisis, due to the perception that the ecosystem exists solely for human exploitation.
insights INSIGHT
Money as Fiction
Modern economists are the greatest storytellers, with money being their most powerful story.
Money, a fictional concept existing only in human imagination, is crucial to understanding and changing economic and ecological systems.
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This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens. It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution. Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights. The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic life.
Homo Deus
A Brief History of Tomorrow
Yuval Noah Harari
In 'Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow', Yuval Noah Harari examines the future of humanity, predicting that in the 21st century, humans will strive for happiness, immortality, and god-like powers. The book discusses how technological developments, such as artificial intelligence and genetic engineering, will shape human society. Harari speculates on the possibilities of overcoming death, creating artificial life, and the potential risks and philosophical implications of these advancements. He also explores the impact of humanism, individualism, and transhumanism on our future and questions the continued dominance of humans in a world increasingly driven by data and algorithms.
Unstoppable Us Volume 2
Yuval Noah Harari
Ricard Zaplana Ruiz
In this book, Yuval Noah Harari continues the narrative of human history, focusing on the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to village farmers, the establishment of kingdoms and laws, and the development of civilization. The book is accompanied by maps, a timeline, and full-color illustrations, making the story engaging and accessible. It delves into how humans cultivated land, shared resources, built pyramids, and paid taxes, highlighting the key inventions and historical milestones that shaped human society[1][4][5].
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In the second part of a special double episode, historian and The Sunday Times bestselling author of Sapiens, Yuval Noah Harari, joins us to discuss his new book for children, Unstoppable Us, Volume 1. In this instalment, Harari discusses what the future of humankind could look like and how the all-powerful influence of technology will be decisive in shaping it. The author also focuses on how, despite being at the mercy of seemingly seismic geopolitical forces, humans can still take charge of their own destiny and also why the Covid-19 pandemic was not the cultural or political reset that many had predicted or hoped. The conversation also explores how Russia's invasion of Ukraine has interrupted the established international order and Harari's belief that telling stories lies at the heart of human learning. Joining Harari in conversation for this episode is our host, the academic and broadcaster, Professor Shahidha Bari.
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