The Power of Bureaucracies: A Reflection on Information and Society

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Bureaucracies, though relatively recent developments in human society, exert a profound influence on our lives, often overshadowing the allure of heroic figures. The significance of bureaucratic structures is evident in their role in shaping essential public services, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, impacted directly by government budgets. Despite their importance, they remain underrepresented in popular culture, as seen in the lack of narratives centered around government budgeting. A reflective example highlights how a bureaucrat confronted an epidemic not with superstition, as might have been the instinctive response of earlier societies, but by seeking truth and addressing the reality of the situation. This underscores the value of sophisticated mental models regarding our perceptions of information. While simplistic views might lead to nihilism or cynicism about the efficacy of institutions, history and established cities like New York challenge such notions, demonstrating the constructive potential inherent in our information networks. Understanding these networks is pivotal to appreciating the complexity and impact of bureaucracies in modern life.

Today on a special in-person recording of Bankless we welcome special guest and best selling author, Yuval Noah Harari. Yuval is best known for his book Sapiens, and today, he is introducing ideas from his next book Nexus.

We go deep down the history rabbit hole and explore the question, if human beings are so wise, why are we so self destructive?

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------ TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 Start 00:08:07 The World of Information Networks 00:10:59 Truth vs Information 00:21:28 Tribal Consequences 00:25:05 Naive View Of Information 00:34:27 Populist View Of Information 00:44:54 Inventing New Mechanisms 00:53:33 A Brief History Of Information Networks 00:58:43 The Most Successful Story Ever Told 01:05:13 Story vs Information Network 01:12:29 Story Of Debt Clay Tablets 01:14:53 Entering the Age Of AI 01:20:50 Self Correcting Mechanisms 01:25:35 The Potential Of Crypto

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Yuval: https://www.ynharari.com/

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