Does more information make society smarter?
I recently finished reading Yuval Noah Harari’s new book, *Nexus*, and wanted to share my thoughts.
The book raises a question that really struck me: If human information technology keeps getting more powerful, why does society still repeatedly fall under the sway of lies, fantasies, and even self-destructive systems?
Harari’s answer is a little counterintuitive: the primary function of information is actually to “connect,” not to “seek truth.” Religious myths, national narratives, and conspiracy theories are all information, and they can all coordinate the actions of large numbers of strangers. Truth requires engaging with a complex reality, but order favors simple, reproducible versions.
The printing press is a great example. It could spread science, but it could just as easily help witch-hunting manuals get printed faster and distributed more widely. Technology expands the capacity of networks, but it doesn’t choose their goals for you.
In the chapter on AI, Harari defines it as a “new actor” in information networks. In the past, technology merely stored and transmitted human-made content. Now, models can generate language, filter content, and participate in decision-making. When recommendation algorithms discover that anger keeps users engaged, they can quietly push all of society in that direction without anyone explicitly telling them to.
The book covers an enormous span of time, from the formation of religious scriptures and bureaucratic systems all the way to Stalin, the Nazis, social media, and AI. Harari has always been good at condensing thousands of years into a few big, shareable ideas. Some people like that; others find it too broad.
In my latest podcast episode, I talk about my honest reactions after finishing the book, including which parts made me think “that’s right” and where I have reservations.
If you’re interested, give it a listen 👇
https://redcircle.com/shows/936a3212-92e5-41c7-b6f9-39e3596adeb8/episodes/7fd76634-2c2e-44c7-b59f-3117c8acded7
I recently finished reading Yuval Noah Harari’s new book, *Nexus*, and wanted to share my thoughts.
The book raises a question that really struck me: If human information technology keeps getting more powerful, why does society still repeatedly fall under the sway of lies, fantasies, and even self-destructive systems?
Harari’s answer is a little counterintuitive: the primary function of information is actually to “connect,” not to “seek truth.” Religious myths, national narratives, and conspiracy theories are all information, and they can all coordinate the actions of large numbers of strangers. Truth requires engaging with a complex reality, but order favors simple, reproducible versions.
The printing press is a great example. It could spread science, but it could just as easily help witch-hunting manuals get printed faster and distributed more widely. Technology expands the capacity of networks, but it doesn’t choose their goals for you.
In the chapter on AI, Harari defines it as a “new actor” in information networks. In the past, technology merely stored and transmitted human-made content. Now, models can generate language, filter content, and participate in decision-making. When recommendation algorithms discover that anger keeps users engaged, they can quietly push all of society in that direction without anyone explicitly telling them to.
The book covers an enormous span of time, from the formation of religious scriptures and bureaucratic systems all the way to Stalin, the Nazis, social media, and AI. Harari has always been good at condensing thousands of years into a few big, shareable ideas. Some people like that; others find it too broad.
In my latest podcast episode, I talk about my honest reactions after finishing the book, including which parts made me think “that’s right” and where I have reservations.
If you’re interested, give it a listen 👇
https://redcircle.com/shows/936a3212-92e5-41c7-b6f9-39e3596adeb8/episodes/7fd76634-2c2e-44c7-b59f-3117c8acded7