Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens: A Brief History of Mankind is a sweeping and ambitious book that explores the history of humankind from our origins as hunter-gatherers to the present day. Harari argues that our species has undergone a “cognitive revolution” that has allowed us to overcome our limited hunter-gatherer origins to imagine communities of millions through ideas such as religion, capitalism, currency, and science.

Inventions such as religion and nations allow us to participate in communities of far more than the twenty or thirty people that might have characterized early hunter bands. It’s an interesting argument, one that guides much of Harari’s book.

However, Harari argues that, as a consequence, Sapiens has become god-like, with the ability to create and destroy. But he ends his book on a dark note: “Is there anything more dangerous than dissatisfied and irresponsible gods who don’t know what they want?”

Why does Harari, after exploring our cognitive abilities and achievements, think that we’ve become so dangerous? What are his specific concerns?

Harari’s concerns are two-fold. First, he argues that our cognitive revolution has given us the power to change the world in ways that were never before possible. We can now create new technologies, alter ecosystems, and even engineer our own species. However, we have not yet developed the wisdom to use these powers wisely.

Second, Harari argues that our cognitive revolution has created a new kind of society, one that is based on individualism and consumerism. This society is highly efficient and productive, but it is also deeply alienating and isolating. It has created a world in which people are constantly striving for more, but never feel satisfied.

Harari’s specific concerns include:

• The power of technology: Technology has given us the power to change the world in ways that were never before possible. We can now create new weapons, alter ecosystems, and even engineer our own species. However, we have not yet developed the wisdom to use these powers wisely.
• The rise of individualism: Harari argues that our cognitive revolution has created a new kind of society, one that is based on individualism and consumerism. This society is highly efficient and productive, but it is also deeply alienating and isolating. It has created a world in which people are constantly striving for more, but never feel satisfied.
• The decline of community: Harari argues that our cognitive revolution has also led to a decline in community. In the past, people were connected to each other through their families, villages, and tribes. However, in today’s world, people are more mobile and less connected to their communities. This has led to a rise in loneliness and social isolation.
• The threat of environmental collapse: Harari argues that our current way of life is unsustainable. We are consuming resources at an unsustainable rate, and we are polluting the environment at an alarming rate. This is leading to climate change and other environmental problems that pose a serious threat to humanity.

Conclusion

Harari’s concerns are valid and should be taken seriously. We have the power to create and destroy, but we do not yet have the wisdom to use our powers wisely. We need to develop a new understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. We need to learn to live in harmony with nature and with each other.

Citations from the book:

• “We have become gods, and how we will handle our divinity is the central question of our time.” (p. 413)
• “The cognitive revolution gave us the power to change the world, but it did not give us the wisdom to use this power wisely.” (p. 414)
• “The rise of individualism has created a world in which people are constantly striving for more, but never feel satisfied.” (p. 415)
• “The decline of community has led to a rise in loneliness and social isolation.” (p. 416)
• “Our current way of life is unsustainable. We are consuming resources at an unsustainable rate, and we are polluting the environment at an alarming rate.” (p. 417)

Additional thoughts

Harari’s book is a wake-up call to humanity. He challenges us to think about the consequences of our actions and to consider the future of our species. His concerns are valid and should be taken seriously. We need to develop a new understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. We need to learn to live in harmony with nature and with each other.