A THREAD on key ideas from the book "Homo Deus: A History of Tomorrow" by @harari_yuval :
1/
Religion is a deal, whereas spirituality is a journey.
1/
Religion is a deal, whereas spirituality is a journey.
2/
Religion cannot be equated with superstition, because most people are unlikely to call their cherished beliefs ‘superstitions’.
We always believe in ‘the truth’.
It’s only other people who believe in superstitions.
Religion cannot be equated with superstition, because most people are unlikely to call their cherished beliefs ‘superstitions’.
We always believe in ‘the truth’.
It’s only other people who believe in superstitions.
3/
Algorithm’ is arguably the single most important concept in our world.
If we want to understand our life and our future, we should make every effort to understand what an algorithm is, and how algorithms are connected with emotions.
Algorithm’ is arguably the single most important concept in our world.
If we want to understand our life and our future, we should make every effort to understand what an algorithm is, and how algorithms are connected with emotions.
4/
The greatest scientific discovery was the discovery of ignorance.
Once humans realised how little they knew about the world, they suddenly had a very good reason to seek new knowledge, which opened up the scientific road to progress.
The greatest scientific discovery was the discovery of ignorance.
Once humans realised how little they knew about the world, they suddenly had a very good reason to seek new knowledge, which opened up the scientific road to progress.
5/
Today the main source of wealth is knowledge.
And whereas you can conquer oil fields through war, you cannot acquire knowledge that way.
Today the main source of wealth is knowledge.
And whereas you can conquer oil fields through war, you cannot acquire knowledge that way.
6/
There are no longer natural famines in the world; there are only political famines.
If people in Syria, Sudan or Somalia starve to death, it is because some politician wants them to.
There are no longer natural famines in the world; there are only political famines.
If people in Syria, Sudan or Somalia starve to death, it is because some politician wants them to.
7/
The governmental tortoise cannot keep up with the technological hare.
The governmental tortoise cannot keep up with the technological hare.
8/
Corporations, money and nations exist only in our imagination.
We invented them to serve us; why do we find ourselves sacrificing our life in their service.
Corporations, money and nations exist only in our imagination.
We invented them to serve us; why do we find ourselves sacrificing our life in their service.
9/
What some people hope to get by studying, working or raising a family, others try to obtain far more easily through the right dosage of molecules.
This is an existential threat to the social and economic order, which is why countries wage a stubborn, bloody and hopeless..
What some people hope to get by studying, working or raising a family, others try to obtain far more easily through the right dosage of molecules.
This is an existential threat to the social and economic order, which is why countries wage a stubborn, bloody and hopeless..
...war on biochemical crime.
10/
For the first time in history, more people die today from eating too much than from eating too little; and more people commit suicide than are killed by soldiers, terrorists and criminals combined.
For the first time in history, more people die today from eating too much than from eating too little; and more people commit suicide than are killed by soldiers, terrorists and criminals combined.
11/
If pupils suffer from attention disorders, stress and low grades, perhaps we ought to blame outdated teaching methods, overcrowded classrooms and an unnaturally fast tempo of life.
If pupils suffer from attention disorders, stress and low grades, perhaps we ought to blame outdated teaching methods, overcrowded classrooms and an unnaturally fast tempo of life.
12/
You want to know how super-intelligent cyborgs might treat ordinary flesh-and-blood humans?
Better start by investigating how humans treat their less intelligent animal cousins.
It’s not a perfect analogy, of course, but it is the best archetype we can actually observe.
You want to know how super-intelligent cyborgs might treat ordinary flesh-and-blood humans?
Better start by investigating how humans treat their less intelligent animal cousins.
It’s not a perfect analogy, of course, but it is the best archetype we can actually observe.
13/
With regard to other animals, humans have long since become gods.
We don’t like to reflect on this too deeply, because we have not been particularly just or merciful gods.
With regard to other animals, humans have long since become gods.
We don’t like to reflect on this too deeply, because we have not been particularly just or merciful gods.
14/
Each and every one of us has been born into a given historical reality, ruled by particular norms and values, and managed by a unique economic and political system.
We take this reality for granted, thinking it is natural, inevitable and immutable...
Each and every one of us has been born into a given historical reality, ruled by particular norms and values, and managed by a unique economic and political system.
We take this reality for granted, thinking it is natural, inevitable and immutable...
...We forget that our world was created by an accidental chain of events, and that history shaped not only our technology, politics and society, but also our thoughts, fears and dreams.
Therefore we seldom try to shake ourselves free, and envision alternative futures.
Therefore we seldom try to shake ourselves free, and envision alternative futures.
15/
Traditionally, life has been divided into two main parts: a period of learning followed by a period of working.
Very soon this traditional model will become utterly obsolete, and the only way for humans to stay in the game will be to keep learning throughout...
Traditionally, life has been divided into two main parts: a period of learning followed by a period of working.
Very soon this traditional model will become utterly obsolete, and the only way for humans to stay in the game will be to keep learning throughout...
...their lives, and to reinvent themselves repeatedly. Many if not most humans may be unable to do so.
16/
In the past, censorship worked by blocking the flow of information.
In the twenty-first century, censorship works by flooding people with irrelevant information.
In ancient times having power meant having access to data.
Today having power means knowing what to ignore.
In the past, censorship worked by blocking the flow of information.
In the twenty-first century, censorship works by flooding people with irrelevant information.
In ancient times having power meant having access to data.
Today having power means knowing what to ignore.
17/
To attain real happiness, humans need to slow down the pursuit of pleasant sensations, not accelerate it.
To attain real happiness, humans need to slow down the pursuit of pleasant sensations, not accelerate it.
18/
History isn’t a single narrative, but thousands of alternative narratives.
Whenever we choose to tell one, we are also choosing to silence others.
History isn’t a single narrative, but thousands of alternative narratives.
Whenever we choose to tell one, we are also choosing to silence others.
19/
The best reason to learn history: not in order to predict the future, but to free yourself of the past and imagine alternative destinies.
Of course this is not total freedom – we cannot avoid being shaped by the past.
But some freedom is better than none.
The best reason to learn history: not in order to predict the future, but to free yourself of the past and imagine alternative destinies.
Of course this is not total freedom – we cannot avoid being shaped by the past.
But some freedom is better than none.
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