21 Lessons for the 21st Century — Yuval Hoah Harari

Yuval Noah Harari, author of “Sapiens” and “Homo Deus”, has just published his third book: “21 lessons for the 21st century”. It arrived home one day after its world premiere and I’m looking forward to reading it, but I didn’t want to wait to dedicate an entry to it in this space.
I’ve seen several articles talking about the launch of the book (for example this one in The Guardian) and promotional videos (like this one from Random House) but I hadn’t seen anywhere a compilation of those 21 lessons, so I’m going to share that with you: the 5 big blocks in which the book is divided and the problems that there are inside each one of them, adding up at the end the 21 reflections. In the words of Harari himself:
“My new book will aim to answer the overarching question: what is happening in the world today, what is the deeper meaning of these events and how can we individually steer our way through them? The questions I aim to explore will include what the rise of Trump signifies, whether or not God is back, and whether nationalism can help solve problems like global warming.”
The technological challenge
Humanity is losing faith in the liberal narrative that has dominated global politics in recent decades, exactly when the fusion of biotechnology and infotechnology confront us with the greatest challenges humanity has ever known.
1. Deception. The end of history has been postponed.
2. Work. When you get older, you may not have a job.
3. Freedom. Macro data is watching you.
4. Equality. Those who possess the data possess the future.
The political challenge
The fusion of infotechnology and biotechnology is a threat to the fundamental modern values of freedom and equality. Any solution to the technological challenge has to pass through global cooperation. But nationalism, religion and culture divide humanity into hostile camps and make it very difficult to cooperate globally.
5. Community. Humans have bodies.
6. Civilization. There is only one civilization in the world.
7. Nationalism. Global problems need global answers.
8. Religion. God now serves the nation.
9. Immigration. Some cultures may be better than others.
Despair and Hope
Although the challenges are unprecedented, and the disagreements are enormous, humanity can measure up if we keep our fears under control and are a little more humble about our views.
10. Terrorism. Let us not be frightened.
11. War. Never underestimate human stupidity.
12. Humility. We are not the center of the world.
13. God. I do not month the name of God in vain.
14. Laicism. Accept your shadow.
Truth
If the reader feels overwhelmed and confused by the global situation, you are on the right path. Global processes have become too complex for one person to understand on their own. How, then, can we know the truth about the world and avoid falling victim to propaganda and misinformation?
15. Ignorance. You know less than you think.
16. Justice. Our sense of justice may be old-fashioned.
17. Post-truth. Some false news lasts forever.
18. Science fiction. The future is not what we see in movies.
Resilience
How do you live in a time of bewilderment when old stories have collapsed and a new story has not yet emerged to replace them?
19. Education. Change is the only constant.
20. Meaning. Life is not a story.
21. Meditation. Let us simply observe.
Here is also a very good Harari Talk about the challenges of the 21st Century. As you finish the book… Comment and share your reflections! Here or on GoodReads 😉
#365daysof #futurism #technology #society #transhumanism #day193
